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THE 

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^ ^ *'Be ve tiifkepokk perfect." 



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Boston: 
IVFcDONALD & GILL, 

Offjce of the Christiax "Witness, 
36 BiiOMFiELD St. 






Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1S85, 

By Mcdonald & gill, 

In the Oflace of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

The Book - - - - » 5 

CHAPTER II. 

The Man ----- 12 

CHAPTER III. 

His Possessions - - . _ 17 

chapter iv. 
His Resources - - : _ _ 19 

chapter v. 
Nature's Light and Dakkxess - - 23 

CHAPTER YI. 

Why and Wherefore - - - 29 

chapter yii. 
The Spirit-Realm Unveiled - - 34 

CHAPTER VIII. 

The Disclosure - - _ . 0(3 

CHAPTER IX. 

A Celestial Gathering - - - 40 

CHAPTER X. 

Satan's Challenge - - . . 44 

CHAPTER XI. 



The Attack 

chapter xii. 
Satan Defeated - - . 

chapter xiii. 
A Second Effort - - _ 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Friends Appear - - . 

chapter xv. 
The Silence Broken - - . 

chapter xyi. 
The Reply of A Friend — Eliphaz 



CO 
69 
76 
82 
89 
94 



IV CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XVII. 

Perfection, in Solitude - - - lOO 

CHAPTER XYIII. 

A Friend's Disappointment - - 103 

CHAPTER XIX. 

Self-Defense ----- 106 

CHAPTER XX. 

A Third Friend's Effort - - - 118 

CHAPTER XXI. 

A Yein of Irony - - - - 124 

CHAPTER XXII. 

A Second Speech from Eliphaz - - 130 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

Job's Review of the Speech of Eliphaz, 134 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

Bildad's Second Speech - - - 138 

CHAPTER XXV. 

Job Superior to Bildad - - - 140 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

An Interruption - - - - 144 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

Job Resumes ----- 147 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

A Third Speech from Eliphaz - - 151 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

The Reply to Eliphaz - - - 154 

CHAPTER XXX. 

Bildad's Last Effort - r - 158 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

Mind Triumphs over Matter - - 161 

CHAPTER XXXII. 

A New Speaker - - - - 177 

CHAPTER XXXIII. 

Truth Triumphant - - - - 109 



THE PEOLOGUE. 



OxE Sunday morning, my desire to know 
How man may reach perfection here below, 
Led me to take the Book, wherein is given 
Instruction meet to tit the soul for Heaven, 
To a familiar, oft-frequented, place, 
Uninterrupted, there the truth to trace. 
Pledged to this purpose, trifling thoughts retire. 
While nature wooes to thoughts, than nature, 

higher. 
The glorious sunshine, shimmering through the 

trees 
That bowed responsive to the varying breeze ; 
The dew, that nature, all, with pearls bedecked, 
Or changed to gems more lustre to reflect ; 
The breath of flowers perfuming all the air, 
Voicelessly telling of a Presence there ; 
The hallowed calm upon that holy day. 
All, gave to thought a trend the heavenward way. 

To that retreat retired, all free from care, 
No thought of my surroundings, light, or air. 
Or wafted perfumes — while impressed by all ; 
Perhaps by Him who waits the suppliant's call. 
Wooing, enduring, with long-suffering love, 



VI THE PROLOGUE. 

To make His children ripe for realms above : — 

There, to the book of Job I turned, to find 

How one may be more perfect than his kind. 

Wherein it was Job's chief perfection lay, 

I'd find out on the morning of that day. 

" ISTot the whole book ! but a few chapters read, 

Will solve the problem," — to myself, I said. 

For little more of Job was known to me, 

Than I had learned beside my mother's knee, 

Among the catechetic questions, when 

" What man was first ? " " Who died to save 

lost men ? " 
" Who was the oldest ? — the most perfect man ? " 
The primer taught without much form or plan : 
Sufficient, if, from childhood up to youth. 
The mind had simply treasured gospel truth. 

I read : was pleased to find how firm Job stood. 
Bereft, and in his seeming solitude. 
Bead on, — was disappointed ; but still read 
To the book's end ! then to myself, I said, 
^^ It is God's Book ; therefore, the truth must be : 
But Job, as perfect, fail my eyes to see." 
The trial did not seem like a success. 
I did not know, was not inclined to guess. 
Closing the Book my thoughts took other range. 
My disappointment vanished with the change. 



THE rROLOGUE. Vll 

Long time passed by, my patience had been 
tried ; — 
No thouhgt herein, to rank with Job, implied : — 
When, of a sudden, wonder came one day 
Whether, within my province now, it lay 
To solve the problem, that I found in youth 
Concerning Job. Straight to the Book of truth 
I bent my way 5 there, studying all alone, 
A helper came : " The Arena and the ThroneP * 
I read ; digested : till the boundary line 
Was lost between the author's thought and mine. 
Hence, what herein shall with his thought accord. 
To him be granted credit, and award 
Of origin : and let myself be known 
As but the echo, of a high, pure tone 
Eesounding here, destined to sound on high 
When blending voices mingle in the sky. 
Let but my echo be repeated then. 
And Heaven receive the tribute with, " Amen.^' 

Nor would I fail to note the light that gleamed 
Erom him who wrote ^^ Redeemer and Redeemed J^ t 
He brought me from deep doubt, as from the dead : 
Led me to Christ, the ever-living Head. 

* The Arena and the Throne, by L. T. Towusend, D. D. Pub- 
lisbed by Lee & Shejiard, Boston. 

t Redeemer and Redeemed, by Charles Beeclier, Georgetown, 
?.Iass. Boston: Lee & Shepard, 



VIU THE PROLOGUE. 

Revealed the broken cisterns, insecure ; 
Opened up Gospel truths, as fountain pure, 
Eefreshing, to th' hungering, thirsting soul, 
Over whom dark clouds, as huge billows, roll : 
Till my blind eyes beheld the peaceful light, 
And knew my Eather 'd sent to heal my sight : — 
Sent, not an angel from the realm above, 
But one on earth, who served for Jesus's love. 

When who turn many, from crude error's way, 
Shall shine resplendent in the coming day ; 
"Who feed Christ's lambs and make the Shepherd 

known. 
Be called by Him to share the Victor's throne ; 
May it be his in radiance to shine. 
The joy to view that radiance, be mine. 

Then shall my highest powers with all unite 
To praise the God of honor, truth, and right, 
For matchless love, that, suffering long, could waib 
The lost ones to restore to their lost state : 
And, from the conflict of the ages past. 
Bring forth a concord evermore to last — 
Ever in sweetest harmony to chime 
When suns have paled, and no more measure time : 
Unfolding ever with love's rich increase 
In life eternal, joy, bliss, perfect peace. 

The Author. 



PEEFECTION ATTAINABLE, 



CHAPTER I. 

THE BOOK. 



IWTAN, weeping, wakes into a vale of tears. 
^ ^ He seeks to solve the problem life appears. 
Why here ? and wherefore ? What his destiny ? 
Where are the aids to solve the mystery ? 
Should he blot out the sun, to clear the sky, 
Thinking the light he carries in his eye, 
He may be led by spectres in his brain. 
But has no light to make his pathway plain. 
Who gave the sun, gave not all creatures eyes ; 
Not all crave light, nor native of the skies : 
To earth adapted, they the dark earth crave, ' 
Nor deem their home to higher life a grave. 
To moral creatures, God gave power to choose — 
To grope with bats, and higher life refuse ; 
To close their eyes, or lift them to the sky ; 



6 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Seek life eternalj or, with gross things, die. 
He, in His love and ministry to men, 
Gave them a Book prepared with ink and pen : 
Left nought undone the human race to teach, 
And place the highest good within their reach : 
To pilgrim strangers, journeying through life's 

vale. 
Employs the method that can best avail. 
That they discern the truth He would unfold, 
And in His light its beauty all behold : 
Adapts the means to suit the age and race, 
That they may truth receive, and "grace for 

grace.'' 
The Book God gave we simply Bible name. 
But for that Book the highest reverence claim ; 
Or, if the Book by divers names we call. 
As Sacred Scriptures, Word of God — these all 
Are only synonyms, the name to express 
Of the one Book God gave our race to bless. 
The Bible, though Divine, and by God given, 
Was not composed, then dropped to earth, from 

Heaven. 
All was dependent on the human pen : 
Though God inspired, the writers all were men ; 
Wrote different books, at different points of time, 



THE BOOK. 7 

And each one's style^ or more or less sublime, 
Identifies the writer — plainly shows 
That he is conscious what he writes, and knows 
His theme; — not a mere medium, to pen 
An unknown message to his fellow-men. 
The scripts, at last, at different periods done, 
Were all collected, bound complete in one : 
One "Holy Bible, destined as the seed 
AVhence untold volumes thenceforth should pro- 
ceed. 
A living miracle, ordained to be 
Man's guide, through time, to immortality. 
Grope they in darkness where this light is not; 
Happy they are who have its truth inwrought. 
Let none, then, seek to blot the Bible out. 
To raise in sport, or help support, a doubt, — 
Dishonest doubt, not raised to prove the truth, 
But to unsettle unformed, wayward youth. 
The Book is truth, — all honest test will bear, 
Xor science can its radiance impair. 
Will, with its light, give solace, peace, and rest. 
And lead the illumined home to mansions blest. 
Since a collection is the Bible, then 
One Book must have been first revealed to men ; 
And that first book have been by God designetl. 



8 PERFECTION xiTTAINABLE. 

As lesson first, to instruct the human mind : 
Since He is Author, and Inspirer, too, 
With this prime object — this alone — in view. 
All comprehending what His children need, 
He will the first with the first lessons, feed. 
The basis first, whereon shall firmly stand 
Truth that shall follow as their powers expand. 
In any study, an important part 
Is that first principles be learned by heart. 
Their comprehension is a lasting gain. 
Making all future lessons much more plain ; 
Clears the perception, opes the mental eye, 
And lessens reference to the text ^,one by. 
Be it our object, then, at once to t/ace 
The truth first given to the human race. 
Diligent study gives us zeal to. jpok 
Fov older script than that csille^T'e?itateuch. 
To find, of all we hold as sacred lore, 
Than Job, there is no book to stand before. 
Most ancient, earliest — Job. The statement 

stands 
Confirmed by one who confidence commands — 
A learned doctor, "* commentator too, 
Who wisely studied all the Bible through. 

*Dr. Scott. 



THE BOOK. 9 

'^ Some think it the most ancient work/' he writes, 

" Now extant in the world." And then he cites 

Sufficient jproofs his words to justify ; 

Confirms, by simply telling how and why. 

Keligion patriarchal that remained, 

In ordinances, that were then sustained. 

In Uz. No record of idolatry 

Except the chief est emblems in the sky : — 

The glorious sun ; the moon, queen of the night, 

The only objects worship yet incite. 

Allusion none to the Mosaic law, 

Nor works of wonder that God's people saw — 

God's chosen Israel, that He kindly blessed 

And led from bondage to a land of rest. 

The style of work and composition, too, 

Sanction the opinion herein held to view. 

I quote again — ^rom knowledge not my own — 

An extract in ^" Arena and the Throne," 

Erom Carlyie, who, with pen that ready flows, 

Of Job has written poetry in prose. 

Let me his words in measured lines rehearse, 

To frame the metre of my truth in verse. 

Though to preserve the accent and the rhyme, 

I risk in language loss of the sublime. 

*^ One of the grandest things e'er writ with pen,-' 



10 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

" A noble book/^ belonging to all men. 
Not written for one age, or time, or class, 
Tis ^' all-men's book " — all, as the ages pass. 
Our first and oldest statement of the Why? — 
The problem never-ending, ne'er to die, — 
" Man's destiny, and God's ways with him here 
On earth." When shall the visual ray be clear ? 
" Such living likenesses were ne'er seen drawn." 
Sorrow sublime ! And who can look upon 
A reconciliation more sublime, 
Or match this record of so early time ? 
The oldest choral melody ; — the heart. 
As 'twere, of all mankind, bearing its part, 
So soft, so great, as summer midnight bears j 
A tone above the earth and all its cares ; 
Or as the world, with its accompaniment 
Of murmuring seas, and stars, is yet content 
To wheel its orbit throughout untold years, 
And blend its chime with music of the spheres. 
Such is the Book of Job, where we behold 
That, although God chose Israel to unfold 
The way He chose to govern men in time, 
Nor less His government in realm sublime ; 
And chose they should His oracles possess, 
Which, they transmitting, should all nations bless. 



THE BOOK. 11 

Yet, other nations were recipients, too, 

Of truth Divine, not withheld from their view. 

In Abraham's day — Israel's progenitor — 

Approved of God, Job stood, in character. 

Arabian Job ! in crucible refined, 

Heaven's host may God's ideal man-perfect, find. 

This truth, transparent, all may clearly trace : 

God is not partial to one given race ; 

Sees but one family in all the earth, 

Prepared to ripen them for higher birth. 



12 PEKFECTION ATTAINABLE. 



CHAPTER II. 

THE MAN. 

Having discussed the Book of Job, we can 
Turn our attention now to Job the man ; 
Gather the truths that open to our view 
Freely as flowers exhale the morning dew, 
Diffuse their perfume, all refined, and give 
To all who breathe, a better life to live. 
Explore, as miners search beneath the soil 
Eor treasure that repays both time and toil. 
Job's individuality so scan, 
That we may wisely mark the perfect man — 
Intelligently know why he so shines 
From earliest record to these present times ; 
Why such distinction bears his name along: 
Text for the preacher, subject for a song, 
Pith for a proverb, and, by old and young, 
A simile pronounced by every tongue. 
At his first introduction, Job appears 
A ripe adult, in character and years. 
The days of helpless infancy are gone. 



THE MAN. 13 

The joys and sorrows of youDg cliildliood's morn. 

'i^e liappy 'halo, gilding earlj day, 

Its beams has scattered — fleeting, passed away. 

The season passed, of innocent delight, 

When time moves slow and morn seems long ere 

night ; 
The adolescent period, that anon overtakes. 
And the fresh season when new love awakes : 
The time attending in life's early dream, 
"When things that are, are not like what they 

seem; 
When pleasures, pastime, foibles, follies too, 
Take on proportions that are not their due. 
The season when young friendships form had 

gone, 
And Job had bid adieu to life's young morn. 
But this life-school — with large experience 

fraught, 
A balanced mind, a manhood firm, had wrought ; 
A character developed and matured, 
So even, so well-rounded, as insured 
The admiration of the earth ; and, more, 
The approbation of high heaven, before 
The assembled sons of God. But let us wait, 
Or we the sequel shall anticipate. 



14 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

While we, with zeal, refer now to the Book, 
May the same Spirit that inspired it, look 
Upon our effort, and inspire us too ; 
That nought therein disclosed escape our view. 
He, searching the deep things of God, make 

bright 
Our vision, which, without His aid, is night. 
The narrative, in substance, opens thus : — 
"A man was living in the land of Uz 
Whose name was Job.'' — Ko note of ancestors. 
Simple irrelevance may be the cause. 
A brief synopsis of his character 
Follows, confirmed by One who cannot err. 
Perfect, upright, feared God, evil eschewed. 
Simple to state, easily understood. 
Clear, plain, pellucid ; who bhall dare deny 
God's uttered truth ? or, face Him with a lie ? 
Question His balances or measuring rod. 
Whose ways are equal ? else God is not God. 
True, Job feared God, but not as Adam did, 
AVho from His presence shrank and vainly hid. 
Or sought to hide. Job's was a wholesome fear, 
Disposing him to wish God very near. 
But, as a mercenary man inquires, — 
Who to possession ardently aspires, — 



THE MAN. 15 

Often and earnest, "Will it pay ?" Desires 
Of Job within himself arise, to light 
Upon the path of honor, truth and right. 
Assured that God approves, such way he'll take ; 
ISTo powers combined can lead him to forsake 
That course ; if not, no power can make him 

swerve ; 
God is his friend ; no other will he serve. 
A well-trained conscience guides him in his 

choice. 
And he will listen to its guiding voice. 
He not alone the j^ath of wrong forsakes, 
The thought of evil banishes ; thus takes 
On habit, which, confirmed, makes impulse right 
And the word duty dwindles out of sight. 
Job, become perfect, has for his reward 
The peace of him whose mind is stayed on God. 
This character had Job attained, before 
Eesponsible parental name he bore. 
To this man, so described, seven sons were born, 
While daughters three, his family adorn. 
(Wise was the mother of Job's children, then 
As proved by proverb * from the wise man's pen. 
The woman building up her house is wise ; 

* Proverbs xiv. 1. 



16 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Who plucks it down, herself may well despise.) 

The book perusing, we are led to see 

Job's children all attain majority. 

ISTo note of childhood, passed in silence all, 

What joys nii^ht cheer them, or what griefs 
befall ; 

How they were reared, — home-culture quite left 
out, — 

They're uc-t the theme the author writes about. 

Yet doubt no shade casts whether Job ruled well 

And peace and concord in his home did dwell. 
The sequel shows, and makes it very clear 
That well and wisely he the ten did rear. 
He ? They. Job's sons, if they were wisely led, 
Parents were one — formed one united head; 
Their aims, their ends, their motives intersphered. 
More in narration, would have interfered 
With the great end the Author had designed, 
As lesson first, to instruct the huma<n mind. 



HIS POSSESSIONS. 17 



CHAPTER III. 

HIS POSSESSIONS. 

The subject next upon the record shown, 
Presents a schedule of what Job did own. 
Possessions held in title, right, and fee. 
Off-hand and round, with no pretense to be 
Precise in numbers, as with coin we count. 
Which will not, with the keeping more amount. 
So numerous are his flocks and herds, that men 
Make no account of less than ten times ten. 
And, prospered as he was, one day's report 
Would never with another day's comport. 
The census of to-day would falsify 
The numbering correct of yesterday. 
That of to-morrow might still more outrun 
The trusty counting that to-day had done. 
Pirst on the list to have and hold and keep. 
We find enrolled, are seven thousand sheep. 
(A list made out the present day might read — 
^' Same more or less ; " of this there was no need. 
Transferred estate no written deed required, 



18 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Nor registration yet had. man desired.) 

But flocks and herds were doubtless many more, 

Had count been accurate, and told each score. 

Three thousand camels next, number immense ! 

A host of men to act in their defense 

As consequence, would seem to be required, 

And large provision for the herdsmen hired. 

Ten thousand animals ; nor are these all j 

Five hundred yoke of oxen answer call. 

These well might stock a farm. But we proceed 

And, mules five hundred on the schedule read ; 

That is, five hundred mules of female kind j 

Mules masculine not reckoned, as we find. 

We are prepared, with such a large estate, 

To read, Job had a household very great. 



HIS RESOURCES. 19 



CHAPTER IV. 

HIS RESOURCES 

His family of ten, Job reared without the aid 
Of any book. No book had yet been made : 
Nor magazine, nor pamphlet ; Bible none j 
To give his word a deeper, stronger tone, 
Sanction authority, and be his guide, 
His standard, which all questions should decide. 
Not any sacred Scriptures were there then : 
Not the first inspired record made by pen. 
No Sabbath-school varied the seventh day ; 
No library-book to while the time away, 
And teach them all the while some heavenly- 
lore. 
Beneath some tree or at the open door. 
All unaware to Job, the first supply 
For book to be perused by any eye. 
Was his own life, whose peaceful ebb and flow 
Gave all around him happiness to know : — 
His life, the theme for the first printed page ; 
First pabulum for mind, from age to age ; — 



20 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Which should the hungering soul amply supply 
With fruit that lives and thrives perennially. 
Thus, in Job's daily walks, his life embraced 
Embodiment of truth to be first placed : — 
As in celestial system, remote star 
Sends early radiance, that shall travel far, 
Bearing its beams with an enlightening ray 
To earth-born tenants in life's latest day. 
Unconscious, he, as days successive passed, 
His life should have a record which should last ; 
In time to come, fill many a published tome, 
And find a place in every Christian home. 
Treasures of wisdom, in the time of Job 
(Being, as said, no books upon the globe). 
Were stored up in the memories of those men 
Who'd reached or passed their three-score years 

and ten. 
What they'd observed, experienced, and deduced, 
Comprised the only library to be used. 
He who would be intelligent, must, then, 
Consult the wisdom of these aged men ; 
Research the living volumes of wise age. 
Whose every day was one more added page — 
Or paragraph, increasing more and more, 
The already large, accumulated lore. 



HIS RESOURCES. 21 

But, although yet no book from printing-press 
Had issued been, the sons of earth to bless ; 
A picture-book, with illustrations given, 
Had been bestowed by the All-wise, from heaven. 
The universe of matter God designed, — 
All things created, planned, and so combined, 
That they should typify and illustrate 
Things that the mind alone can estimate. 
(Some, past the reach of intellect to tell, 
In the emotions and affections dwell). 
Even His eternal power and God-head, so 
That they have no excuse who do not know 
The great Creator by His breathing-in ; 
Since naught excludes Him in this world, but sin. 
To these resources Job might one more add. 
In common with all such as crave, — he had 
The direct influence of the Divine mind; 
E-eadier to bless than seeker is to find ; — 
Jehova.h. Job held intercourse with Him. 
And as, by law of mind, it grows less dim. 
And more capacious as its powers are used, — 
Expansion limitless, unless abused ; 
By light prepared for light ; infused by light, 
With power to know true honor, truth, and 
right J — 



22 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

So Job expanded in his mental powers, 
Unconscious, as of perfume are the flowers. 
Indeed, of self he never thought to think, 
No more than fountain meditates on drink. 
His mental powers so clear and copious grew, 
Deductions flashed from premises all true. 
His active, well-trained, regulated mind. 
Saw right from wrong clearly and well defined. 
All held his judgment perfectly correct ; 
None criticised, nor charged him with defect. 
What he inferred was happily received : 
His statements all undoubtingly believed. 
None controverted ; none required a proof ; 
Whate'er he spake was truth — both warp and 

woof. 
Such confidence made all contention cease, 
And Job's conclusions foretold perfect peace. 
'Twas known it was his chiefest wish, to bless ; 
None thought to appeal, but all to acquiesce 
In his decisions. Hence, Job happy stood 
A prince and sovereign to the multitude, — 
An uncrowned king ; — no diadem he sought ; 
The power he held, a symbol needed not. 



NATUEE'S LIGHT AKD DARKNESS. 23 



CHAPTER Y. 

nature's light and darkness. 

Job, with unfaltering confidence, believed 
In God's existence ; whom, he too conceived 
To be a conscious, self -existing One ; 
Between whom and himself there could be none 
To claim his worship. And no sacrifice 
Eeligious, could, by any man's device. 
Be drawn from him. He worshipped, loved, ad- 
ored 
And served his God. All less than God, ignored 
As objects that religious rites could claim. 
Before his household he revered God's name. 
Him he believed to rule by sovereign sway 
The habitable earth ; that no delay 
His righteous government would entertain 
To mete out justice in His whole domain. 
That He, with ease observed the affairs of all ; 
The great ones witnessed, and no less the small. 
That those who rightly used what they possessed, 
Would with abundance be increased and blessed. 



24 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

That wrongs, by Him would surely be redressed, 

No less than others, freely Job confessed. 

That God would choose to increase the power of 

those 
Who kindly strove to lessen others' woes. 
With Him compared, to whom all things belong, 
No man was powerful, righteous, wise, nor strong, 
Nor mighty, nor intelligent, nor just j 
Nor worthy to receive implicit trust ; 
None perfect — never wholly justified: 
In God alone might confidence abide. 
So high, above man's highest reach, attained 
The unseen God, whom Job in thought main. 

tained, 
To whom alone he adoration paid ; 
Upon whose altar all his offerings laid ; 
No other object could admit between 
Himself who worshlpp?d, and his God unseen. 
But such assurance came not without thought ; 
Through deep-toned, mental confiict it was 

wrought. 
There is an element in all mankind 
Inducing worship, — more or less refined. 
Those around Job, worshipped the glorious sun, 
In morning hour j and when, his day's course ruQ, 



NATURE'S LIGHT AND DARKNESS. 2o 

The golden orb its crimson colors lent, 
Crowning v/ith rays resplendent ; then they bent 
Prostrate in worship. Nor was Job unmoved. 
For when the effulgent beams had almost proved 
O'erpowering, — when the eyes of all who dared 
Gaze on its brightness, in a blindness shared, 
Job, too, with hand upon his lips, almost 
Adored. Bub this was in his youth. The host 
Of worshippers around he had withstood, 
Until alone, among a multitude. 
When rose the sun, in gorgeous splendor bright, 
Or moon walked lustrous, with a paler light, 
He could behold, with no enticement felt, 
Though all around in adoration knelt. 
Job, by God's works, so plainly to be seen, 
Knowledge of the Invisible did glean. 
God's natural attributes perceived, and felt, 
And oft in silence on the subject dwelt ; 
Admired His matchless wisdom, power, and skill ; 
Conceived His watchful care abiding still. 
That He a God of system was, 'twas true, 
Since every orb in space its orbit knew. 
The seasons knew their annual return, 
And day and night the time their lights to burn. 
But whether He were Being who could feel 



26 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Compassion for the suffering, and would heal 

The wound from sympathetic chord, — reply, 

Nature gave not ; powerless to testify. 

(The highest artist doth himself impart, 

To bring forth perfect his high work of art ; 

But, in the work, himself doth deftly hide. 

And leave observers to his work of pride. 

Kor ask for notice, till admirers cry 

To know the author who has blest their eye. 

So the Most High in nature is concealed, 

And only hides that He may be revealed. 

He will not entrance force, but waits, to greet, 

Who, more than matter in material, seek.) 

A problem came to Job, — at home, abroad. 

'Twas earnest. '^How shall man be just with 

God?" 
It gave him pause. No answer came from far, 
From sun or moon, or brightest twinkling star : 
No breeze that wafted through the atmosphere, 
Moated an answer to the listening ear. 
Though peal of thunder wakened echoing roar, 
Eemained but silence, when the sound was o'er. 
No breath at daybreak, had a whisper given. 
When woke the slumberer from his dream of 

heaven. 



NATURE'S LIGHT AXD DAPavXESS. 27 

No perfume, incense-like, on heavenward wing, 
From pale, or rosy flowers, one liint did bring. 
Eadiant with beauty from the heavenly fold, 
'No infant's smile the secret e'er had told, — 
In whom, their angels see the face divine — 
In new-born children, of the earth-born line. 
They, who the Father's face ever behold, 
Nor one, nor all, the problem did unfold. 
And human life ; — was this life all ? to man ? 
His brief existence here, — merely a span ! 
Continual change, he saw material things 
To mark : but change, that, changing, no loss 

brings. 
Changing their particles, anew to take 
Relation, — in new union to awake. 
New-vegetated growths from old decays ; 
Brightness to-morrow from the dull to-days. 
And, since no matter is annihilate, 
What does it argue, and what indicate ? 
Suggestions, sure, of immortality ; 
But who shall tell ? where does the answer lie ? 
Were that confirmed, symbols and types were 

these : 
But not a proof, that no one doubts who sees. 
A tree, cut down, he saw again would sprout, 



28 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Bear leaves, put other boughs and branches out. 
But whether man, himself, immortal was, 
His mind an essence beyond reach of loss, 
He could not answer, yet he fain would know ; 
And if, indeed, mind could no loss forego, 
Would one retain his own identity 
Beyond this life — to all eternity ? 
To these, his queries, nature no reply 
Gave in response j but, only sigh for sigh. 



WHY AND WHEREFORE. 29 



CHAPTER VI. 

WHY AND WHEREFORE. 

The sons of Job, their father oft had heard 
Matters obtruse discuss ; and every word 
Had noted ; and how each and every one 
Had, more than satisfied, pronounced, ^^Well 

done." 
Therefore, they too, with difficulties, came. 
Not doubting to experience the same 
Complacent satisfaction, when the clear 
Solution he would give, should greet their ear. 
But who will wonder, if the truth must sajT, 
They sometimes, disappointed, went away ? 
He could not answer, why, they had to learn 
To be unselfish ; why, to yield their turn. 
Was less in chord with nature than their breath ; 
Why, man must live, by some live creature's 

death ; 
To love one's neighbor, as one's self as well, 
Required more effort than few words could tell; 
Why, to forgive a trespass, or offense. 



30 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Was not an easy offering to dispense ; 
Why, every animal, excepting man 
Begins life balanced ? why he never can ? 
Why, he should not be poised at first, and stand. 
And over all his powers have strict command ? 
Why every infant, in its will is strong ; 
In reason weak, and so remaining long ? 
The sons of Job, these questions oft, at feast 
Discussed and argued, from the first to least. 
With eager ears their sisters, all the while, 
Listened to sanction with approving smile ; 
Or, if they must needs, to reprove by frown ; 
Never to quell, or put discussion down. 
There came, sometimes, this question mingling 

in,— 
Was'evil in this world, a fault, a sin. 
Or a misfortune ? if a fault, whose blame ? 
And how came it to rest on whom it came ? 
No barrier their father interposed. 
To check the questions that his sons proposed. 
Reason — the greatest boon from God to man 
By nature given ; which, dispossessed, there can 
No gift be recognized ; nor Giver known ; — 
He'd shudder to degrade, or to dethrone. 
But, latest on his mind, before he slept, 



WHY AND WHEREFORE. 31 

And earliest waking, there liis sons lie kept. 
And it was so, that when their feasts had run 
Round from the eldest to the youngest one, 
He sent and sanctified them ; early rose, 
Kelinquishing the early dawn repose : 
Burnt-offering offered, ere should business call, 
According to the number of them all. 
Every burnt-oifering, in itself implied 
Acknowledgment of guilt : — not justified : — 
The offerer's wish to be, with God, at one : 
His self-surrender, reservation none : 
His consecration and devotedness 
To Him who gave ; — Who ever lives to bless : — 
Himself entire, and all that he possessed. 
Thus Job acknowledged God's the hand that 

blessed. 
And unto God his own indebtedness, 
While, for his sons, as priest, he did confess 
'•For it may be my sons have sinned,"' he said, 
"And, in their hearts, cursed God." He ne'er 

was led 
To think that they in speech would be profane, 
From that, by will, they could themselves re- 
frain. 
But if, in arguing questions that o'ertasked 



32 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Their mental powers, — which him they vainly 

asked — 
They should, for lack of answer, lay the blame 
Upon their nature ; it would be the same 
As charging God with blame : — a silent curse. 
To charge on God sin in His universe. 
Eeligiously they had been reared, but yet 
They might revolt, might waver, might forget. 
Hence, Job's anxiety caused him to rise 
And freely offer early sacrifice ; 
When, with the ascending, curling smoke, the 

prayer 
Of pious father vibrated the air. 
That his sons might in holy life be built. 
Be saved from sin and consequence of guilt. 
Nor was this circumstance occasional; 
'Twas constantly in mind : — continual. 
Not yet had dawned upon the mind of Job, 
That things unseen, and scenes upon this globe, 
Bear near relation, — interlock, and tie : 
That, to the Author — the All-seeing eye — 
The universe is one. None may divide 
The bond of union, by Creator tied. 
Job believed firmly in a righteous God, 
Who, the right-doer, surely would reward. 



WHY AND WHEREFORE. 33 

He knew no life beyond this life on earth : 
Viewed death the end, as the beginning birth. 
Therefore he looked, as did those of his day, 
For compensation, with but brief delay. 
Or none at all. Long life could gather more 
Of bliss. Year after year increase the store, 
Hence, length of life, became to all the sign 
Of approbation of the One Divine. 
A long and happy life was Job's desire, 
Not less for children, than himself, their sire. 



34 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 



CHAPTER VII. 

THE SPIRIT-REALM UNVEILED. 

Without a prelude or prologue the scene 

Suddenly changes, and the realm unseen 

Breaks on our vision. Now, with mind attent, 

Let us receive this revelation, meant 

To disclose things above the realm of earth, 

Where the immortal has its native birth. 

Preely and natural as one would say 

"The room above," or, " house across the way," 

Speaks he of spirit-realm, who thus narrates 

The life of Job. With confidence he states. 

As though no doubt would ever rise to call 

In question, " Did Job ever live at all ? " 

As though he felt that the celestial realm 

From earth's was separate only by the hem 

Of matter that incarnates human mind ; 

Not thought, but felt the truth not then defined. 

'Tis seldom that the veil is thus withdrawn 

To give such vision as that young day's dawn ; 

But so to Job's biographer 'twas given, 



THE SPIRIT-REALM UNVEILED. 35 

To see things in the realm that we call heaven. 
Let us, with him, behold what there he saw, 
And all disclosed there, from the vision draw. 
This author opens up a subject new ; 
New characters presents he to our view. 
So does he scenes in heaven and earth rehearse. 
We see them portions of one universe ; 
Not separate dominions, ruled alone, 
But each a portion subject to one throne. 
God's one dominion, centralized His throne 
In vastness, called the skies unseen, unknown. 
Where justice, honor, truth and right, maintain 
Harmonious union in prolonged refrain. 
Turning from Job, and what to him pertains, 
By leap of mind we reach the vast domains j 
Admitted seem, — as witnesses, stand nigh 
The council-chamber of the One Most High. 
Enwrapt we listen, while the writer tells 
Of scenes enacted where Omniscience dwells. 
No longer on the prelude we delay, 
Proceed direct to poem, song, or lay. 
As said or sung by bard of ancient day. 



36 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

THE DISCLOSURE. 

There was a day when came the sons of God, 

Not by constraint, but of their own accord ; 

For audience before the Lord they came ; 

Also, among them one, Satan by name. 

A day it was ; for not monotonous 

Is life in heaven j simply continuous ; 

Where multitudes the same song ever sing, 

And angel-choirs, veiling with silvery wing, 

In the same posture without varying bend, 

On, and still on, a period without end ; — 

Unchanging ever as long ages roll ; — 

Not such the home that waits the ransomed soul. 

Eternity will never pass away ; 

Yet marks its horologue its measured day. 

And there are days that stirring interest mark. 

Unchecked by night ; no night is there, no dark. 

So active are the actors in that life, 

And that for those on earth's wild field of strife, 

That earth's most active do, as 'twere, but dream ; 



THE DISCLOSUKE. 37 

Or as spectators calm and passive seem. 

That day, it was the sons of God who came ; — 

"What near relation indicates that name ! 

Life, — God-derived, — conscious, could it be 

less? 
But, conscious thought, or lacking consciousness ; 
Finite existence of whatever grade, 
Material or immaterial made, — 
Creation all, howe'er identified. 
Whether as mind, or matter, classified, — 
Each finite being, howsoever known, 
Before possessing self-hood of its own. 
Ideally existed in God's mind ; 
Subjective then ; — its object-place to find 
In God's own time, when, in its destined space, 
He gives the subject an objective place ; 
Marks out its orbit, which, while it retains 
Its life is joyous, and unknown are pains. 
All spirit-life thus first held life in God, 
Cherished, to fill its ordained space abroad. 
Conceptions then, creations yet to be, 
In an embodied objectivity. 
Ideal first, then, new created ones. 
Related to their Author as His sons. 
On them conferred the right and power to choose, 



38 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Will, and determine, — also, to refuse 

To keep their orbit, in the space defined, — 

Free moral agent is each new-born mind. 

Afiirmatively choosing — to remain. 

And the appointed pathway to maintain ; 

As sons related, such will ever be. 

And feel the oneness of one family. 

That sonship, which with consciousness begun. 

Will with duration never cease to run ; — 

The tie that binds in happy harmony. 

Confirmed, established, permanent, yet free. 

Thus they accept what God ordained to be 

Their heritage from all eternity. 

But if refused, heirship becomes annulled ; 

With sonship slighted, highest powers grow 

dulled ; — 
Perverted by misuse, perception blind, 
A worse than blank, the once pure thinking 

mind. 
From royal sonship and its titles all. 
Such self-condemned, self-doomed, will their own 

fall. 
They, then, are sons of God, who recognize 
God as their Author — Father ; and the ties 
Derived from this — their highborn privilege — 



THE DISCLOSURE. 39 

Such, all their powers to bind the union pledge. 
Conscious that He bestows all they enjoy, 
They would not wrench from Him, His claim 

destroy. 
Existence owes to Him both life and bliss, 
Nor choose they to depart from love like this ; 
But, grateful, their relation they maintain. 
Their nature cherish, with perpetual gain. 
Self-centered not, their aspirations flow. 
Pulsating God-ward with increasing glow. 
Centered in Him, whom they as Father claim. 
With impulse right, and narural as His name. 
For as the parents' choice and habits' sway. 
Give impulse to the child ia. the same way. 
In human kindred ; so does the Divine 
Nature transmit by choice, will and design. 
Impulses noble, high, pure, like His own 
To all His offspring, — and would fain be known 
By their resemblance, — with a tendency 
To sway and bias in the self-same way ; 
To holy happiness and bliss complete ; 
To regal honors and a royal seat. 



40 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 



CHAPTER IX. 

A CELESTIAL GATHERING. 

Such, were God's sons, who freely came one day 

Before the Lord, as impulse led the way. 

Among them, but not of them, Satan came 

With bold assurance, precedence to claim ; 

Vaunting within, to make appear as true, 

That more than this he was entitled to. 

The truth with which his nature was impressed, 

The instincts and impulses he possessed,— 

These he resisted, that denied ; abused 

His reasoning powers, and utterly refused 

Allegiance to whom loyalty is due : 

E-aised a revolt, proposed a system new, 

Scorned His paternity, boldly denied 

The need and obligation to abide 

In the All-Pather : and persisting still, 

By virtue of the freedom of his will, 

In opposition to all true and right. 

Threw o'er the universe the hue of night. 

Became self-willed, usurper all una wed, 



A CELESTIAL GATHERING. 41 

Adverse to God's creation, and to God. 
And, by his influence o'er the heavenly host, 
Drew one third part to be among the lost. 
Of those remaining, borne not by his sway, 
None could deny his claim that His course lay 
In true accord with reason. They believed 
God's system right, by all should be received. 
Satan denied. They could not demonstrate. 
Were happy in God's service, chose to wait, 
And trust God's way and time to make all plain, 
Which Satan would not do, nor would refrain 
From mingling where he would not harmonize ; 
Falsehood and force, is armed to exercise. 
For these, with favoritism he did aver, 
Comported with God's real character. 
Satan's own character he set at naught, 
His reputation would not lose for aught. 
That, by perversity was self-destroyed ; 
This, gloated over, and as mu3h enjoyed 
As baseness can enjoy that which is vile ; 
Taste lost for all that will not help defile. 
As carrion crow revels on tainted food, 
He relished not, but felt disgust at, good. 
His reputation 'twas, in which arrayed, 
Made him presentable and undismayed. 



42 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

He'd Tost his virtue, not his intellect ; 

He could assume, arrange, scheme, plan, direct. 

For with divinest, noblest powers of mind. 

Amply equipped, with faculties refined. 

Adapted to position high ; endowed 

Therefore he'd been: — became ungrateful, 

proud. 
Boldly with God claimed peerage, did deny 
God's character superior to a lie. 
What Satan was, he was as God designed ; 
God's system for him fallen, no place could find. 
" Son of the morning," he began his race. 
Like lightning fell from heaven and lost his 

place. 
Now be it asked, ^^ God knowing he would fall, 
What need that Satan should exist at all ? 
Since he will deviate immediately. 
Were it not better that he should not be ? " 
The answer is, and they who think well know, 
God can embody thought in that so low. 
It does not know the thoughts therein that 

dwell ; 

Powerless to see, perceive, conceive, or tell. 
And must God then, no conscious thought begin, 
Because some one or more will surely sin ? 



A CELESTIAL GATHEKING. 43 

Without experimenting, God can give 
In the best way best being power to live. 
And His ideal must not God disclose, 
Because when self-discovered 'twill oppose ? 
Than what is best, He cannot better do ; 
Less than the best, will not, as He is true. 
Hence God, by right, gave Satan power to be ; 
Moved to right impulse, but his choice left free : 
While all around prevails heaven's harmony. 
One sweetly-chiming, perfect symphony. 
All his environments, surrounding, stand. 
Conformed to his own needs, and God's com- 
mand. 
If one assert, another straight deny, 
How shall truth be confirmed ? made plain the 

lie? 
God waits, and works, to bring His truth to 

view. 
Deeds more than words confirm a statement 

true. 
God's patient, suffering love left out of sight, 
Would dim His character to hue of night. 
Because His Being in itself commands 
Love, honor, all is due which He demands. 



44 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 



CHAPTER X. 

Satan's challenge. 

Satan, now fallen in heart, but clear in head, 
Would not relinquish, although forfeited, 
The high position God's appointment gave : 
Bold, insolent, resolved truth to outbrave 
By manner and appearance that should win 
Him approbation, and God's ranks make thin. 
And by his suavity, address, and tact, 
Success began ; and he, in very fact 
Won, from the glorious company of heaven, 
A sympathy, that, like exciting leaven, 
Brought tumult, where before was holy peace, — 
An agitation, signing no surcease. 
Hand to hand combat : — he with God engaged, 
Was what he sought. He would have God en- 
raged ; 
Would tempt him, by all means within his 

power. 
And thus advance his own victorious hour. 
And, when attained a large majority, 



SATAN'S CHALLENGE. 45 

Proclaim himself the reigning deity. 
Meanwhile, till God should so enraged become, 
He would belie him, till heaven should grow 

dumb. 
Therefore, it was, that in the days of Job, 
Experiences on this earthly globe 
Were not alone where patience sore was tried. 
Prom Satan heaven not yet was purified. 
Because he merited expulsion, and 
God's powerful word could make him withering 

stand, 
Yet, him to banish, while it was unseen, 
By those who never had disloyal been, 
That such was his desert ; was not God's way 
To carry on His government. Display 
Of power marks not the system he designed. 
His service has regard to powers of mind ; — 
Accords with reason. Nor would he expel 
Till the free shout, " God doeth all things well,^* 
Kings from the heart unanimous of all ; 
Then, forthwith, Satan shall, as lightning, fall. 
The point at issue, in the argument 
'Twixt God and Lucifer, which Satan meant 
Should be decided by his sophistry, — 
Claiming that he unlocked the mystery, — 



46 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Was the existing basis which alone 

Supports the pillars of the Almighty^s throne. 

The one foundation, first required, to base 

True concord that shall last unending days : — 

The strong support, only on which sure stone, 

The native right, and healthy moral tone 

Of universal government can stand, 

Forming united, one harmonious band. 

Unselfish interest, — this true principle, 

Satan denied, as past the possible. 

And, even its existence, he denied ; 

Holding that all will selfishly decide. 

That each one has his price, all may be bought : 

Erom low to high, not one but can be caught 

Aiming at gain, and all for selfish ends ; 

And, he declared, this principle extends 

To God's own throne ! He had discovered this, 

That self -promotion is the road to bliss. 

Benevolence unselfish, he averred, 

Existed not : was nothing but a word. 

That nowhere could beneficence be found. 

That not in heaven, nor on the earth around, — 

Throughout the circuit, neither there nor here, — 

Could type of love's unselfish form appear. 

He'd challenge the Almighty, and defy 



SATAN'S CHALLENGE. 47 

Him to present one instance to the eye. 

Thus boldly, the prime minister denied 

The principles of court, that must decide 

Right or unright, the acts of all in space : 

Determine each one's fitness for his place. 

Declined he to vacate, witli stubborn will, 

The station, thus disqualified to fill. 

Till demonstration full should vindicate 

God's principles, and his invalidate. 

Believed himself with ample power possessed 

Subtly to frustrate, and destroy the best 

Attempt at demonstration possible. 

The while, assumed he air most plausible, 

As though himself were being set aside 

For perspicacity, and insight wide ; 

Instead of shutting from himself the light, 

And leading captives into darkest night : 

Deluding them, by promise of a throne, 

Where all should be as gods, knowing and 

known ; 
Brook no delay, follow their own sweet will ; 
And none should serve, but each be sovereign 

stilL 
So claimed he homage, with a bold demand 
For proof that could his argument withstand. 



48 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Not God's foreknowledge, nor His power to 

prove, 
Could diminute His depth of suffering love ; 
Long-suffering kindness is His principle. 
He, self-sustained, will bear the crucible. 
Satan, not banished, God permits to appear 
When the true sons of God assemble near, 
Till God's requirements proved both right and 

just. 
Disarm opponents and exclude distrust. 
Without corruption, bitterness, or ire, 
God deigns to argue with the rebel liar. 
His love is seen. His condescension known, 
In His forbearance toward the rebel shown. 
Kindling like flame in ministers of state, — 
The sons of God who ready serve or wait. 
The waiting ones accept God's leave to find 
Witness for God, among the human kind. 
God then commissioned Satan to the earth. 
Where he might find a man of matchless worth. 
Whose life was governed by unselfish love — 
The principle proclaimed in heaven above. 
He, from that trip returning, chose a day 
When came the sons of God, about to say 
That they had found a specimen to meet 



SATAN'S CHALLENGE. 49 

God's standard, and his enemy defeat. 
Radiant with love, their countenances glow 
With lustre, that themselves nor think nor know. 
Transfused with light, their raiments' lustrous 

sheen 
A halo sheds above earth's noon-day scene. 
Before God's all-transcending light they stand ; 
Beams of His love interfuse all the band. 
They touch their harps, a symphony is rung, 
A prelude to the song they would have sung. 
Just at that point, Satan, — it is his way, — 
Among them came to dash their joy away. 
Prime ministry gives him the precedence ; 
The loyal, therefore, with due deference, 
So change their range that he shall have his 

right. 
Their range, so changed, holds him in their full 

sight. 
For, had the loyal testified the first, 
Satan was armed to explode a sudden burst 
Of refutation, eloquently given. 
That should call forth applause from host of 

heaven. 
And hence, 'tis wise he first should testify. 
Since that which he affirms, he can't deny 



50 PERFECTIOX ATTAINABLE. 

On subsequent occasion, but to expose 

His real character, and so disclose 

Himself a liar having no defense ; 

Be vanquished quite thereby of consequence. 

And, speaks he truth, himself can not demand 

A confirmation, ere as truth it stand. 

For Satan's lie must have some truth to stand 

Upon. All lie is like a rope of sand. 

Eull well Jehovah knew where he had been. 

With what determination, whom he'd seen ; 

With what temptation he had vainly tried 

The saintliest man from right to turn aside. 

Satan feels equal, waits the question now — 

Jehovah speaks. He asks, " Whence comest 

thou ? " 
Not willing to appear too glad to know 
That he the truth of God can straight o'erthrow. 
With graceful air, and complete nonchalance. 
Unbending form, but with an eye askance, — 
Be it remembered that the angel-band 
With ears attent listen to understand. 
Now, as his utterance vibrates on the air. 
All heaven is hushed, nor echo answers there. 
" From yonder earth ; there going to and fro 
And walking up and down in it." 'Twas so. 



SATAN'S CHALLENGE. 51 

So much was true. But do the angel band 
Think, or half think, they see beneath the bland 
Soft-speaking lips, and hear beneath his tone, 
A loss of something that they must bemoan ? 
But what he said is true. Of that they're sure. 
For lies he not to lie, but to secure 
Advantage by deceit ; author of lies, 
He uses lies for ends ; as serpent, wise. 
When truth will best subserve, the truth he'll 

That failing, he'll accomplish by a lie. 

Bland and complacent, when his answer's done, 

The admiring gaze of angels he has won. 

Who wait to hear Jehovah speak again. 

He asks, with comprehensive utterance plain: 

" My servant Job, hast thou remarked his worth, 

That there is none like him in all the earth, 

A perfect and an upright man, and one 

That feareth God, escheweth evil ? '' ]S"one 

In heaven the stillness break. But forward bend 

The angel witnesses, to comprehend 

Satan's responsive, audible reply. 

Well may their faces gleam. To testify 

Of Job they one and all had joyful sped, 

And now have sanction of their Sovereign-Head. 



52 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Are sure that Satan must, convinced, succumb, 
Admit the proof, or, unlike him, stand dumb. 
For some of this now joyful waiting band, 
Had been Job's body-guard ; ready to stand 
By day or night, to cheer or soothe his way ; 
Had seen him sacrifice, had heard him pray ; 
Had calmed his slumbers when he sought repose, 
Had watched his pious waking when he rose. 
They fain would answer; waiting words would 

run. 
To tell of deeds of kindness he has done. 
Which they have witnessed : wrongs he has made 

right ; 
Justice established ; to the blind been sight ; 
Honor he never ceased to vindicate ; 
The fettered poor he freed from their low state ; 
Integrity maintained, ills he relieved ; 
All sorrowing ones his sympathy received. 
So ready are the witnesses to tell, — 
In heart and mind so does the subject dwell. 
That the mere moment Satan takes, to draw 
Himself into an attitude to awe. 
Seems long. But Satan speaks. Each angei- 

face 
Beams with a reverent and a radiant grace. 



SATAN'S CHALLENGE. 53 

Then Satan answered to the Lord and said, — 

As though he argued from a pious dread, — 

<•' Doth Job fear God for nought ? " within him 

surged 
A roiling tumult that on madness verged ; 
Seething with wildness like the troubled sea 
Till to his inmost self he seemed to be 
The sole one swayed in all extended space. 
All else seemed calm. He scarce could bide his 

place. 
Began to think his face must be concealed, 
Or all his lie to truth would be revealed. 
A veil of superciliousness he drew 
His features o'er ; self-flattered, thought he knew 

His case was won. 
But, through the augel group 
A shudder ran ; it seemed their wings to droop. 
Their fervent ardor chilled ; 'twas at the sound 
Of him perfidious that they had found. 
Or thought they'd found, most faithful to his 

trust. 
Must they distrust him ? could it J^e they must ! 
Had Job, whom they had been a guard around. 
Had girded in his service, now been found 
As Satan said, serving for selfish ends ? 



54 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Their mission then to earth no good attends. 

Benevolence unselfish, — this it was — 

The object of their missionary cause. 

To find a perfect man according with 

God's standard ; thus to prove that no mere myth 

Was the idea, held in beneficence. 

But actual outgrowth of benevolence. 

Jehovah had pronounced Job perfect and 

Upright. Themselves had thought him so to 

stand. 
Does Satan know ? Was God not in the right ? 
Observing with side glance the now half blight, — 
Check in the flow of angel spirit, flight of wing 
Suspended, Satan quick proceeds 
His point to argue ; boldly calls for deeds 
That shall confirm God's statement, if it's true, 
Leaving no doubt that one can hold to view. 
" Hast Thou not made a hedge about him and 
About his house, and doth that hedge not stand, 
Protecting round about on every side 
All that he hath ? extending far and wide ! 
The work his hands have done Thou'st blessed. 

Increased 
His substance in the land. Let this be ceased. 
But put forth Thou Thy hand and now efface, 



SATAN'S CHALLENGE. 55 

Touch all he hath, he'll curse Thee to Thy face.'' 

Had Satan been last called to testify 

Instead of first, the sons' of God reply 

To that same question would have been, that 

they 
Had found Job perfect and upright alway, 
Giving compliance cheerful to God's law, 
To Him his first best service ; that they saw 
Him deal by all with just and honest hand. 
Dealt, as he would be dealt by, through the land. 
The motives prompting him, they knew quite 

well, 
They were unable to discern and tell. 
They thought that God beheld him with delight, 
And thus approved, since God beheld him right 
In impulse, motive, deed, design, intent; 
Had furnished means ; that Job's benevolent, 
Kind disposition might have full supply, 
Taking its course, itself to gratify 
In deeds benevolent : did thus confer 
His bounty, making Job the almoner. 
But this, by Satan boldly was denied, 
The test he now demanded to be tried. 
And, if Jehovah should the test refuse, 
Satan will straightway say He dare not use 



56 PEEFECTIOI"? ATTAINABLE. 

The only method truth to justify ; 

And then, exulting, claim the victory. 

He knew that it would this appearance wear ; 

That God would choose from suffering, Job to 

spare. 
That God loved Job no less than He approved ; 
That Job's possessions were not misimproved ; 
That 'twould grieve God to deal with heavy 

hand 
Toward pious Job, who would misunderstand, 
And think that God with him must be displeased, 
He hoped the test would vanquish, e'er it ceased. 
That so not one example, far or near. 
Of service on God's basis might appear. 
Unselfish service : God's requirement, yet, 
[Not by the the eye, on tablet, to be met j 
But, by the Author who did life impart. 
Deeply imprinted on the human heart. 
And in the mind ; where reason signs accord 
By power of understanding, and award 
Of an approving conscience; which, combined. 
Prove correlation 'twixt God's law and mind. 
"Put forth thy hand now and touch all He 

hath," 
Satan demands, repressing ire and wrath. 



SATAN'S CHALLENGE. 57 

Jehovah knew full well, should He comply, 
Satan would boldly still the truth deny ; 
Would say that God had mingled mercy so 
In the removal, Job felt not the blow. 
That loss of his possessions, Job ignored, 
Expecting all to him would be restored. 
Therefore, to silence Satan, and make truth 
Triumphant, power was given to him, for- 
sooth : 
To Satan the Lord said, " Behold all that 
He hath is in thy power.'' Now the combat 
Is sure. God knew Job would remain intact ; 
Knew Satan would abuse his power, the fact 
To him disclosed. Therefore a bound is given 
To him ere he goes forth from highest heaven 
Upon his mission of malevolence, 
Disguised by putting on a false pretense. 
Satan, exulting in his vantage ground, 
Eestrains himself from leaping with a bound. 
Jehovah adds sublimely one command, — 
"Only upon himself." — Satan, still bland, — 
Assumed demeanor : " Put not forth thy hand." 
It is enough ; why should he put his hand 
On Job? He's sure he can command 
His curse on God, ere his prosperity 



58 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Is sudden blasted by adversity. 

So Satan from the presence of the Lord 

Went forth : free agent, of his own accord 

To do his will, and make it to appear 

The will of Him was done whom Job did fear. 

Forth from the presence of his consciousness 

Of God's all-seeing eye; but none the less 

Within His vision whose omniscient view 

Regards all space ; all things sees clearly 

through, — 
Forth from God seen ; the empyrean, where 
The sons of God remained assembled there. 
The conference that ensued, no records state : 
But if Job had been :n their charge of late, 
Then their commission is at once withdrawn, 
Withheld at sombre night and early dawn. 
If it had been the sons of Job to guide, 
To guard and shield them that no ill betide. 
That so the father may be spared from grief, 
Nor pierced where hardest found is true relief ; 
His servants, flocks and herds, were these their 

wards 
To watch, secure, protect from all marauds ; 
Directly their commission is withdrawn. 
And, should they see a depredation on 



SATAN'S CHALLENGE. 59 

His flocks or herds, or his possessions all, 
They must withhold all aid ; the hlow let fall ; 
Stand but as silent witnesses unseen, 
Observing closely ; naught must come between 
Satan and Job. Their perspicacity, 
Keen, able, quick-discerning scrutiny, 
jNlust witness bear for Job's sincerity, 
Or, unconvinced of his hypocrisy. 
Commissioned thus, with leave to make report 
When quite convinced, at the celestial court ; 
The angel-embassy with speedy flight. 
To the arena bend their earnest sight. 



60 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 



CHAPTER XI. 

THE ATTACK. 

Job, in the circuit of his busy life — 

As magistrate, the arbiter of strife, 

As priest and patriarch, husband, father, friend, 

Eearer of flocks and herds ; — the which to vend 

Brought dealers far and wide, and caravans ; 

Helpers and hinderers in forming plans ; 

Appeals for labor, and appeals for aid ; — 

Found life's warp filling ; while the web it made 

He scarcely retrospected. Less did he 

Imagine that to such a dignity 

Was he exalted, where the great Supreme 

Sees all things as they are ; not as they seem 

To mortal eyes — disjointed at the birth : 

Sees from His own standpoint; not that of 

earth. 
Job had no thought that he was called to be 
Witness for God ; subject select, that he 
Was held as object for celestial eyes 
To look upon, and seeing, grow moie wise; 



THE ATTACK. 61 

Become confirmed ; know better God is true ; 
And, as God reasons, themselves reason too. 
Job did not know it, but we know it well, 
Would sing as anthem, with a chorus swell, 
Till every sufferer of the present day- 
Should catch the psean and join in the lay. 
Yea, every sufferer, but 'tis only he 
Can reap in joy, who sows integrity. 
He who is conscious that, he that maintains, 
This consolation has, when tried with pains, 
God takes cognizance how well he endures. 
Perhaps, as witness he in heaven secures 
Some glorious end. He may the measure fill 
Of Christ's own sufferings, and be one who will 
When Christ appears as victor, thus attain 
A closer nearness; more exalted reign. 
Now all the wealth this righteous man pos- 
sessed,— 
This servant of the Lord, approved and blessed. 
All his possessions, all he called his own 
Are held by Satan, and may be o'erthrown 
As by his malice or his stratagem 
He plans to bring Job to curse and condemn 
Him whom Job worships now with godly fear, 
And seeks to bring to others' minds more near. 



62 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Not by God's choice was Satan chief in charge 

Of Job's possessions, with the power at large 

To dispossess, to wrench, destroy, bereave 

Of all he had and held ; nor aught to leave. 

But, in God's system of free agency 

This course exists as a necessity. 

Not now devised, but seen as a must-be 

In the vast by-gone of eternity. 

In the best system that could be arranged 

God saw a sure, sad certainty. Unchanged 

Himself, correlative and remedy, — 

Provision held for every need to be. 

Eor every woe that every one might feel. 

Held in himself the sovereign power to heal. 

From the foundation of the world God knew 

What He in each specific case would do. 

Which knowledge in itself includes each fact 

That ever should exist ; yea, every act 

From small to great that should occur; knew all, 

Minutest cell and tiniest sparrow's fall ; 

Knew each one's life, where each should first 

draw breath. 
His choice, his will, his course, his day of death ; 
And, this foreknowing, fore-ordained the day 
When each one's life the perfect part should 

play. 



THE ATTACK. 63 

To build the system, which, when all complete, 

His saints with Him should share His royal seat. 

The property of Job in Satan's clutch, 

No delicacy is there in the touch. 

It is his aim to make each blow a blast. 

And each succeeding, heavier than the last. 

It was the birthday of Job's eldest son ; 

The child with which the father's joy begun. 

When, in the house assembled, which his sire 

Tor him had built, — by mutual desire, 

The seven brothers with their sisters stay. 

To celebrate tlie eldest's natal day. 

And all were feasting, while the new-pressed 

wine 
Eefreshed their thirst, and lent its sparkling 

shine. 
To-morrow morning will the father pay 
A sacrifice, for their mistakes to-day ? 
E'en now, perchance, the loving father's heart 
The sacrificial lamb has set apart. 
If even now he preparation makes. 
Another subject his attention wakes. 
A messenger brings sad intelligence : — 
" The oxen, plowing, mules beside them, hence 
Are driven away. The Sabeans came, and fell 



64 PERFECTION ATTAIXABLE. 

Upon, and took them : and, still worse to tell 
With their sword's edge they have the servants 

slain, 
While I, alone escaped, the whole to explain.'^ 
Thoughts of surprise the mind of Job impress, 
That stalwart Africans could not possess 
Themselves of plunder, and, therewith content. 
Until they had, with murderous intent. 
His faithful servants with their sword's-edge slain. 
But ere the courier ceased, he to complain 
Begun ; another came : thus Satan planned, 
'Twas his arrangement, done at his command. 
Nor knew the workers they by him were 

taught ; 
They thought their minds alone contrived the 

plot. 
The mind has its apartments, and takes in 
Its unseen guests. It may be aids to sin, 
Or holiness : dei)ends upon the choice. 
The pure admit the pure ; the vile alloys. 
The second messenger, upon the first. 
Alarmed, breaks in with sudden breathless burst : 
" The fire of God hath fallen from heaven, and 

hath"— - 
Satan meant here to indicate the wrath 



THE ATTACK. Go 

Of God toward Job. Oh, waiting angels, hear ! 
For Satan's sure the curse will now appear — 
Will be pronounced by Job, when, straight from 

heaven, 
God's fire — "consumed the sheep and servants," 

even ! 
"And I," the servant adds, "alone have well 
Escaped, to thee, the shocking truth to tell." 
(What of thy lamb, Job, for sacrifice 
At morn ? Thou servest God ! Is this the 

price ?) 
The second speaker had not finished, when 
A third appears to Job, and he, again 
To bring sad tidings : — that " the Chaldeans 

came 
In bands of three, and have the camels slain. 
They, too, have slain the servants with the 

sword ; 
And I, alone escaped to bring thee word." 
Satan now meant by force to hurry up. 
'Tis the last drop that overflows the cup. 
The heaviest blow he now holds in reserve ; 
Dernier resort, that shall his purpose serve. 
He would have gloated over the result. 
Could he have wrung from Job curse and insult 



66 PEHFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

By half tlie ruin wrought; thus to have given 
Proof of predictious he had made in heaven. 
Came the last messenger ere ceased the third ; 
Kor breaking gently with a soothing word: 
^' Thy sons and daughters eating, drinking wine, — 
'Twas at his house, — the eldest son of thine, 
Their eldest brother " : — Not the Sabeans now, 
Nor Chaldean bands, to make his servants bow 
In their last sleep : but, from the wilderness, 
An unseen power; — the wind. 'Twas wont to 

bless. 
"Behold there came a great wind, with wild 

roar, 
Which smote the house; attacked the corners 

four: 
It fell upon the young men, they are dead. 
To tell thee, I escaped ; alone I fled." 
Now all is gone. Job stands. Let all be 

hushed ! 
Will Job now curse ? Is God, or Satan, 

crushed ? 
Then Job arose, and shaved his head, and rent 
His mantle. Tokens all of grief. He bent 
In sorrow. Prostrate, on the ground, he fell 
And — worshipped ! while the sons he loved so 

well 



THE ATTACK. 67 

Slept their last sleep. Profound and solemn 

grief ! 
To suck a mourner, what can bring relief ? 
He speaks. No curse sounds from his lip ; — no 

blame. 
" Without possessions into life I came ; 
Naked came I. I shall return the same. 
The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, 
Blessed be His name." No more his lips could 

say. 
Sublime emotions ! mastery sublime : 
Echoes resound the utterance throughout time. 
By his bereavements, Job appears to have thought 
That his own life was, to its last verge brought. 
That Ail-wise Providence had first removed 
Those who would miss so much the heart that 

loved : 
Has first dismissed his cares : now will he wait, 
Pesigned, dismissal from his mortal state. 
Job's calm, submissive, pious state of mind, — 
Instead of that which Satan had designed, — 
Placed him in harmony with things on high, 
And brought celestial influences nigh. 
As vessel, with sails set, and helm all right. 
Will catch the breeze, and bring the port to 

sight; 



68 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

So Job received heaven's inspirations in, 
That lift above a world of woe and sin. 
The angel of the Lord encamping round 
Them that fear Him, near Job might have been 

found. 
Nor merely one, a glorious company, — 
The sons of God,. — witnessed the harmony, 



SATAX DEFEATED. 69 



CIIAPTEE, XII. 

SATAN DEFEATED. 

Satax, for one wild moment, stands aghast, 
Brought up point-blank, and nonplussed at the 

last! 
His ammunition gone ! Job's all, he's spent. 
He, vanquished is ; with lack of armament. 
Xo resource in himself, whence shall he turn ? 
Self-conscious fire, feeling itself to burn : 
Himself the fuel : — would it never stop ? 
Or as wild thirst, without one quenching drop. 
Such Satan's self, by his perversity, 
Is forming for his long eternity. 
He had revolted from the God of love, 
Preferred a system of his own, above 
The impulse-principle, by God bestowed. 
He ivas in truth : but not, in truth, abode : 
Denied that any would, by choice, prefer 
Unselfish love as base of character : 
Made no exception in the One, All-True, 
And now, fast fading from his mental view, 



70 PERFECTION ATTAINAULE. 

Is true conception of the Deity ; 
Victim, alas, of his own perfidy. 
Scorning the truth ; pronouncing baseness wise, 
Thus he becomes the dupe of his own lies. 
One cannot constantly declare a lie, 
"Without this deleterious tendency. 
Satan, persisting in his adverse course. 
Became producer of an unknown force. 
Power hitherto unknown. God's enemy ! 
Wonder profound, in heaven's economy. 
A character, than which, can be no worse. 
Who would curse God, declares himself a curse. 
'Twas his desire continual, to dethrone 
The Almighty, and himself possess alone 
Supreme judicial sway. This motive, led 
Him to appear with a bold front and head, 
When came the sons of God. His malice led. 
Kow, checked by non-success from Job to wring 
A curse : he halts, to miss the pluming wing 

Of truth. 
And lo, again there was a day 
When the glad sons of God sped on their way 
To announce in heaven that Job had stood the 

test; 
Proved God's word true. He did not curse, but 

blessed. 



SATAX DEFEATED. 71 

Though Satan robbed, and Job was sore dis- 
tressed, 
He was unscathed. No more could Satan wrest, 
Or misinterpret truth, whose word is fact. 
Satan is vanquished ; Job, by him, intact. 
But not, by Satan, unobserved, they wing 
Their way. His forces he'll collect, and bring 
Himself also among them. On that day 
Appears he, his Satanic part to play. 
Observing angels note the blight of scorn 
Disfiguring his face, once Son of Morn, 
While they serene, with ardent listening ear, 
Jehovah's unimpassioned question hear 
Addressed to Satan. '^ From whence comest 

thou ? '' 
As formerly, so Satan answered now. 
" Erom yonder earth ; there going to and fro 
And walking up and down in it.'' 

Ah no ! 
Satan is not omniscient ; nor has he 
God's own reserved power of ubiquity. 
True, up and down the earth with speed he'd 

been, 
And all his influence used to make Job sin. 
Indeed, with this in view, he did incite 



72 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

The Sabeans, with maliciousness of spite, 
Bot^ in the mass and individually 
To plunder, and, with rank rascality, 
Take human life with cruelty so fell, 
That only one was left their deeds to tell. 
Did he the shepherds not mislead, to take 
Eefuge where electricity would make 
Its course effectual to destroy with fire, 
That it might be supposed to be God's ire ? 
Hither and thither, up and down the earth, 
Weaving his subtle influence like a girth. 
Exciting now the Chaldeans, man by man. 
To incorporate, commune, combine and plan, 
Or, better, form three communistic bands, 
Attack Job's camels, tie the servants' hands ; 
Or, wiser, slay them, leaving none to tell 
Who did the deed that they had planned so well. 
Or, leave perhaps but one, that he might go 
Proclaiming levelisra, that Job might know 
'Twas the Chaldeans had begun the feat, 
Nor knew 'twas Satan's plot, as on his beat 
From to and fro and up and down the earth. 
He caught them captive in his subtle girth. 
Satan's reply bore truth thus far. He had 
Been up and down the earth ; and dark and sad 



satax defeated. , 73 

The fact that he still treads his earthward tour, 
Like roaring lion seeking to devour. 
With radiant faces angels listen now, — 
Jehovah speaks, while they with reverence bow. 
'^My servant Job; hast thou remarked his worth, 
That there is none like him in all the earth, 
A perfect and an upright man, and one 
That feareth God, escheweth evil ? " None 
On Satan looked. The glory of the Lord 
Drew all hearts toward Him with a sweet accord. 
" Still his integrity he holdeth fast," — 
Had not been scathed by the severest blast, — 
"Although thou moved'st me 'gainst him, to 

destroy 
Him without cause."' Satan in no wise coy 
JFor his defeat, determined Truth to fight ; 
To rule or ruin by brute force and might ; 
Eeckless of right, lost to all sympathies, 
A foe to all ! (But, Job in his distress. 
Had he but known his dire calamities 
The Lord pronounced to be without a cause, 
Would have been strengthened, comforted, sus- 
tained ; 
While less the cause at issue would have gained.) 
Then Satan from the roiling surge within, 



74 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Thus answered to the Lord : " Aye, skin for 

skin^ 
Yea, all that a man hath he'll freely give 
For his own life j give all, if he may live. 
But put forth now Thy hand, and touch his bone, 
Nor only that, leave not his flesh alone ; 
And then, ah then, he'll curse Thee to Thy face, 
The fact will out, give only time and space." 
Is not heaven moved to exclaim in deep surprise, 
^' 0, matchless, Satan, are thy cruelties ! " 
How can they be ? Eor, hear Jehovah say, 
" Lo he is in thy hand." And yet they may, 
For heartfelt kindness they in Him behold, 
Who adds, " But save his life." While Satan, 

cold 
In aspect, countenance, and in his mien 
Showed that restriction needs to come between 
Himself and Job, or not Job's life would bide : 
Then Satan would declare 'twas suicide. 
Satan, permitted by the Lord, proceeds, 
And straightway enters on his evil deeds. 
No note is given to tell of heaven's discourse ; 
Believed of Satan and his ensnared force. 
But at his exit shadows must have fled. 
All trusting ones must have been comforted j 



SATAN DEFEATED. 75 

Assured there was to come a clear, bright day, 
When every shadow should have passed away. 
But woe to earth, where Satan takes his course, 
Kesolved to win, by stratagem and force. 



76 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 



CHAPTER XIIL 

A SECOND EFFORT. 

So, from the presence of the Lord went forth 
Satan, to saintliest man in all the earth. 
Leaving a statement that must needs be proved, 
Or true, or false, — that God be known and 

loved 
For what He is, — that what He is be known ; 
That in the light of God may walk His own. 
Till that light shines, the just shall live by faith ; 
God's light gives life, while darkness leads to 

death. 
'Tis Satan's forte to wrap in darkness all. 
O'er God and truth he'd throw a midnight pall. 
If that to do his efforts unavail, 
Over each mind he'd throw a blinding veil. 
When other schemes prove vain, he'll make 

believe 
There is no Satan, so he can't deceive; 
Then entrance gain, where, but for this belief, 
He'd no admission find. But this in brief. 



A SECOND EFFOET. 77 

Satan descends to Job, and thinks to seize 

His prey by a cutaneous disease. 

Therefore, to grasp him in his ravening toils, 

From head to foot he covers Job with boils. 

For, as retainer had he not put in 

At chancery of heaven, that " skin for skin, 

A man would give for life ? " since life was spared, 

Job for his losses very little cared. 

That ill, not falling on himself, did touch 

Him not at all ; or if at all, not much. 

Hence, Satan urged, it was. Job did not curse. 

And, this to prove, bent on his course perverse. 

Whereas, from pachyderm, so far removed 

Was Job, touched were his sympathies and 

moved, 
By slightest sorrow, near or more remote, 
Vibrating sure response in finest note. 
And every blow Satan had rudely dealt, 
Job's sensibilities had keenly felt. 
Loss of his children overwhelmed him sore. 
Whose forms he'd see, whose voices hear no 

more. 
His grief increased that he could make no less 
Their mother's grief, who shared in his distress. 
If Satan had been dupe of his own lie, 



78 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

The truth now plainly stood before his eye, 
As, sore with boils from feet unto his crown, 
He Job beheld, whom he had smitten down. 
Covered with boils ! when one alone can make 
A well man sick, and to his couch betake. 
If Job before had thought his end was near. 
The case now seemed to him to grow more clear. 
The sole position where he finds relief 
Is down among the ashes j — sign of grief. 
The irritation nothing can allay, 
Withal, a potsherd takes he. Comes a day. 
His wife surprised that he has ever stood ; 
And now still more at his calm fortitude, 
Por lack of morphine, or some sedative 
That can alleviate, can't see him live 
To suffer thus : not knowing life transcends 
The mortal bounds : not with the mortal, ends : 
Herself, with best intentions, now draws nigh, 
To give her best advice, breathed with a sigh. 
" Retainest thou still thy integrity ? 
'Tis my advice that thou curse God, and die." 
'Should he curse God, he thinks no less than she 
'T would bring the shock of death; — nonenity. 
Who did insinuate into her mind 
Counsel like this ? Twas he who Eve did blind 



A SECOND EFFORT. 79 

And use, to bring her husband's character 
To light disclosed. Let him who reads, not err. 
Satan well knew when he reserved her life, 
The influence she exerted as Job's wife. 
If his harsh treatment tempted not to sin, 
JoVs chosen one from him the curse might win; 
The partner of his joys and life from youth. 
And who esteemed him for his worth and truth. 
His household servants, Job had heard express 
In passing, such remarks, nor more nor less. 
From them expected. But such words, when 

heard 
Prom his wife's lips ! It seemed but too absurd 
That she should speak like them ! He did not 

break, 
"Ah, foolish woman, thou ; " but, like such, speak. 
Harsher reproof he was not wont to bring ; 
Still courteous, he, though keenly suffering. 
No diminution his affection knew, 
The cynosure herself he held most true. 
"What ? shall we not," he adds, to reconcile, 
" Eeceive good from the Lord, and, after while 
Evil receive ? " So Job submissive bowed, 
Kor curse has uttered either low or loud. 
At his first resignation happily, 



80 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

^^ Job neither sinned nor charged God foolishly," 

The record states : but here somewhat omits. 

That Job sinned not undoubtedly admifs. 

But the omission ! Did it signifj-, 

The question that Job asked, — which did imply 

That God, from choice, would afflict willingly , — 

Evil would, deal, — was charging foolishly ? 

It may be so, not only may, but must. 

When God declared, '' dust shall return to dust,'' 

'Twas not as His first, prime and sovereign 

choice, 
But to the truth He gave His sovereign voice. 
Evil exists — not by His choice or will, 
Nor His permission. While His system still 
Evil includes as a fixed certainty. 
The system He permits ; and patiently 
Endures the evil ; knows the time is sure 
It shall be crushed, the system become pure. 
Satan from it, and evil all, disgorged ; 
He, bound with chains his obstinacy forged. 
Then shall no more his corrupt influence sway ; 
The unwary capturing, as an easy prey. 
No more the faithful his temptations bear. 
Evil delivered from, — answered the prayer. 
All evil banished. Then the aim and end 



A SECOND EFFORT. 81 

Accomplished which creation did portend. 

The final restitution then appears, 

And God's own hand has wiped away all tears. 

All things, restored to harmony divine, 

Meet God's ideal — His first grand design. 

The natural channel of creative thought. 

All keeping time and tune with Him who 

wrought 
The only perfect system ; in whom centers all ; 
One heart, one mind with the Original. 
All finite thought shall be but thought sublime, 
With the great Author keeping tune and time. 
Evil shall then be in the past, — what was. 
No longer is, nor ever had a cause. 
The kingdom to the Father then be given, 
And God be all in all in earth and heaven. 



82 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 



CHAPTEE XIV. 

FRIENDS APPEAR. 

Viewing his life as drawing toward its brink, 
Job hitherto had not been called to think 
Upon himself, by forced necessity. 
And, freed from every selfish tendency. 
Himself as subject, would not be his choice. 
A paradox reality employs. 
Proves that unselfish love brings highest joys. 
For leaving self quite out of sight, brings gain ; 
While he who sows for self, reaps want and 

pain. 
Though on the surface this may not appear, 
Job's case illustrates, and the truth makes clear. 
Aside from self, Job had a large supply 
Of themes, wherewith his mind to occupy ; 
His wife console ; to dry the mourners' tears. 
Whose friends had perished by the Sabeans' 

spears, 
Or, by the Chaldeans felt death's cruel pain j 
Defending to the last their master's gain. 



FRIENDS APPEAR. 



83 



This strengthened character, and mind, and heart, 

The consolation that he strove to impart 

To others, with a quiet, calm rebound, 

Became to him a consolation found. 

Satan, as men judge, by himself judged Job. 

And hence, remorseless, cruelly would probe 

His fortitude, determined to command 

A curse on God from best man in the land. 

Now Job, by dire necessity, was brought 

To have no choice of subjects for his thought. 

Upon himself his thoughts were forced to light, 

No solid lest was his, by day or night. 

No potsherd scraping could his pain allay ; 

The irritation that he thought to stay 

Thereby was but increased, until his skin 

Was lost in texture, and what once had been 

Expressive index of his state of mind, 

AVas so much marred, resemblance few could 

fmd. 
Features disfigured, flesh diseased, 'twas strange 
If, from himself at all his thoughts could range. 
'Twas when his suffering had this stage attained, 
The tidings reached three far-off friends. They, 

pained 
At the recital, — three choice friends were they, — 



84 PEKFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Together meet, confer, appoint a day 
To come together, there with Job to mourn 
For all the loss and suffering he has borne. 
Ko printed sheet, nor telegraphic aid, 
Had Job's calamities all public made ; 
But bad news then as now would swiftly fly, 
While good news, chary, waits and lingers by. 
Intelligence came to the Temanites, 
The Shuhites heard, and the Naamathites ; 
And one from each unite in company. 
Each for himself, — perhaps as deputy, — 
To wait upon the great man of the east. 
At whose expense they had been wont to feast ; 
Over whom now vast depredations spread 
Like surging billows, raging o'er his head. 
They had not heard of the last trial keen, 
Himself attacked, heart-rending to be seen. 
Note that Job's losses touched not him alone ; 
'Twas a great failure, making many moan. 
This great reversion, sudden, swift, fell sore, 
Like drying up of a vast reservoir. 
Business received a check, — a sudden pause ; 
And many marvelled what could be the cause. 
The three friends, who from several districts 
came; 



FRIENDS APPEAR. 85 

Eliphaz, Bildad, Zopher, known by name, 
Were grieved for Job, when first his woes they 

heard ; 
And, suited action to their combined word. 
They now, proceeding on their journey's way. 
Employ their time with what they have to say. 
Each one of Job can something pleasant tell ; 
His cheering words they all remember well. 
None could be with him and at heart feel dull ; 
And, how delightful last year's festival ! 
He strengthens always by his counsel wise, 
And none like him give competent advice. 
His noble mien and generous bearing too, — 
'Twould do one good, simply to take a view. 
And every one would wiser, better grow. 
The more of Job to understand and know. 
Hope springs within them, that misfortune's 

tide 
Will soon take turn, react, reverse and glide 
As formerly, or with a richer flow. 
His birth-day festival is near, they know. 
He will by that time, — may e'en now, possess 
The due, and sure reward of righteousness. 
They doubt not calm serenity prevails ; 
No adverse power his inner strength assails. 



86 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

This acme of their hope and strong desire 
Keeps up their strength, supplies their inner 

fire, 
As to Job's precinct they approach. When, lo ! 
The man called Job they do not, can not know. 
Hopes and desires have such a sudden fall 
They lift their voice and weep. And one and 

all 
Their mantles rend, and sprinkle on their heads 
Dust toward heaven ; while speaking, each one 

dreads. 
So sat they with him down upon the ground 
Seven days, seven nights, and felt his grief pro- 
found ; 
Express to him in signs what well they see, 
His sorrow great, and dire his malady. 
To him, they speak not, to each other may; 
But who, to Job, shall dare to break the way ? 
Seven days and nights they go, come, sit, and 

sigh. 
But not to Job a word of sympathy. 
Now he who had been going to and fro, 
And up and down the earth, — and must needs 

go 
To ascertain whatever he would know ; 



FRIENDS APPEAR. 87 

Is rampant still, as he was rampant then, 

And deals the same with erring sons of men. 

Into each mind he will insinuate, 

Can he but find ajar some unclosed gate : 

Will watch for access, and will entrance gain, 

If he but bare admittance can obtain. 

So, with these friends of Job, was Satan free 

To judg« it now his opportunity. 

Arabian princes they ; he knew their creed; 

Knew well the premises were false indeed. 

He was familiar with the creed entire ; 

To serve his end, no better could desire. 

The basis whereupon their faith was built 

Held that who suffers, bears the sign of guilt. 

While prolonged length of days in man, declares 

Him righteous; and his goodness 'tis, that 

spares 
His life. That sudden death is merited 
By some specific sin done by the dead. 
This uniform, accepted, current view 
Disqualified these friends for judgment true ; 
Impaired the mind to judge impartially : 
The premise wrong, so must the inference be. 
This error Satan seized as vantage ground, 
A weapon keen, the three friends might be 

found. 



i88 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

If suffering be an evidence of sin, 

A sinner great, most surely, Job has been. 

If not apparent, then the sin lies hid ; 

Job should confess the wrong deed that he did. 

For to condole with one who wrong has done. 

Was to become accomplice with that one. 

So Satan whispered, and the three gave heed ; 

Nor spared a word to Job in his great need. 



THE SILENCE BROKEN. 89 



CHAPTER XY. 

THE SILENCE BROKEN. 

In his attack on Job, Satan had dealt 
Each blow precisely where 'twould most be felt. 
Nor does he deviate to less severe, 
When, suffering keenly, Job's choice friends ap- 
pear. 
But so arranged, that the severity 
Should compass and include Job's own birth- 
day:— 
A day he had been wont to celebrate, 
Invoking heaven to bless himself, his ^state. 
And these three friends, 'tis probable, had known 
The festive joys on these occasions shown. 
Their hopes and prayers, undoubtedly arose, 
That, ere that day, this direst of his woes 
Be lifted from him, and his flesh be healed ; 
And this but the beginning be ; the yield 
By heaven repeated in a larger train. 
Bring earth's rich treasures, and true friendly 
gain. 



90 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Job, too, had hope : but hope so long deferred ! 
But one year since, and blithe as song of bird, 
Sang sons and daughters. Now, in silence, they ! 
Who shall bespeak return of festive day ? 
Now sick at heart, and weary, must his word 
Prepare a prelude, ere from friend he heard ? 
This sharpens sorrow ; — which severity 
Their creed approved, — restraining sympathy. 
Job is in Satan's power. Thus said the Lord. 
Satan, unfeeling, and by no means awed ; — 
Not by the desolations he had wrought, 
Nor sum of all the misery he had brought 
To pass ; — his one aim, truth to overthrow, 
Held fast his power, his grip would not let go : 
Hoping, expecting, when Job saw his fate. 
The coming birth-day, that he'd curse and hate 
His God, — the Lord. And then his prophecy 
Would be fulfilled, and all his victory see. 
He hitherto had used men unconcerned. 
And reckless of the right, so they but earned 
By their own methods, what to gain they sought ; 
Quite unconcerned at ills their mischief wrought. 
But now, enlightened men, who God revered. 
The self-same God that Job loved, served, and 
feared, — 



THE SILENCE BROKEN. 91 

Satan employed : far from their minds the 

thought 
That he employed them ; they for Satan wrought ! 
A week has passed. Now, on the seventh day 
Job opes his mouth to speak. What will he 

say? 
The three friends, waiting, hope he will confess 
Some sin or error. How can he do less ? 
When God does visit such afflictions dire, 
Is it not mark of his extremest ire ? 
Job speaks. He cursed. Ah, Satan turns away; 
Job cursed not God ; but only cursed his day. 
His birth-day, now, the morning light had woke. 
In years gone by he had been wont to invoke — 
In presence of a goodly company. 
Who freely shared, in happy harmony. 
His hospitality, and social feast, — 
A day all sunshine ; without cloud, the least. 
Bereaved, afflicted, now, in grief, he prays 
For clouds and darkness. For the sun's bright 

rays 
Seem mockery. He used to wish the day 
Might, in remembrance, never wear away : — 
His children might the day observe, and tell 
How, in their children, should his memory dwell, 



92 * PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Thus he had prayed without distrust, or doubt; 
Now prays it be forgot, and blotted out 
Forever, from the calendar. Then, he 
Sought joyful music, mirthful chorus glee ; 
But silence now: — for music there's no room. 
Then, stars at twilight ; now, invoked he, gloom. 
For, if his life was drawing to its close 
Submerged in grief, and marked with heavy 

woes, 
Thus indicating, as by current creed. 
That he, a wicked life, had led indeed ; — 
Had been persisting in a course of sin. 
Which he knew false, from witness true within, — 
Life was a failure. Better far the deep 
Of non-existence, or eternal sleep. 
Life lingers still. He longs for it to cease : 
Longs more for death, than for a large increase 
Of earth's possessions, gems or ores the best : 
Longs for that sleep where weary are at rest. 
Although life wearies, he will not depart 
From conscious right, integrity of heart. 
Correct in principle, he will abide, 
Nor end his griefs by means of suicide. 
Though nothing, of a future life, he knows, 
He will not seek, by death, freedom from woes. 



THE SILENCE BROKEN. 93 

Though he regards the grave as only rest ; 

The time appointed, counts not, his behest. 

The present, past, and future, — all, to him 

Is mystery. His cup, up to the brim. 

Is more than full. In words, he vents his grief, 

Opening the way for ministering relief, 

And sympathy, to those who piously 

Wait for his speech ; and wait most zealously. 

Job does not criminate himself nor can ; 

'Twas his intent to be an upright man. 

So earnest, in him, did desire arise 

To live aright, continual exercise 

Of caution marked his daily walk in life. 

Conscience bore witness ; nor within was strife. 

But though so cautious, what he zealous sought 

To avoid, had come upon him. Life was fraught 

With woes. Had he been careless, or to blame, 

No wonder, then. He had not. Trouble came ! 

Thus, closed Job's speech ; and thus he made the 

way, 
For him, to comfort, who had aught to say. 



94 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 



CHAPTEE XYI. 

THE REPLY OF A FRIEND ELIPHAZ. 

The seven long days and nights, which the three 
friends 

Speechless toward Job had sat, with this day- 
ends. 

*Tis not to be supposed that they were mute ; 

Or passed the time, in silence absolute. 

Some words, they dropped 5 and then, perhaps, a 
pause. 

One asked another, what could be the cause 

Of Job's afflictions. Why he failed to show 

Some sin or error that himself must know ? 

Job knew their creed ; knew that it caused the 
breach : — 

Their silence, — but ignored it in his speech. 

^Tis probable, this gave his friends surprise ; 

Who thought when Job should speak, he'd re- 
cognise 

Some overt act, or covert, which had brought, 

As retribution, the disasters wrought. 



THE REPLY OF A FRIEND — ELIPHAZ. 95 

Confession contrite, it was their belief, 
Would bring bim pardon and direct relief. 
Keply is due to Job, and deference 
To age, gives Eliphaz the precedence. 
Aware of wanting sympathy most true, 
His speech begins, with caution running through. 
Chiefly absorbed, he is, with the defense 
Of abstract doctrine, held with confidence. 
Without exploring for a basis sound 
To know if true or false his creed be found. 
False premises he takes as true, without 
Beholding in said premises a doubt. 
Now Eliphaz, so zealous for his creed, 
Thinks not of sympathy, that Job must need. 
And hunger for. Therefore, he gives the reins 
To head, instead of heart, to soothe Job's pains. 
Since they oppose, he must by one abide. 
The head condemns the heart, and bids decide 
" Who soothes the sinner, does his sin partake, 
And a like doom upon himself shall break." 
The head, — located higher than the heart — 
The seat of life, — is not the better part. 
And who, dethroning heart, exalts the head, 
ilepeats the error in which Satan led : 
Which him overthrew : thus causing Satan's fall 



96 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

From truth ; from life in God. It was the call 
Proceeding from the head, which now this man — 
Eliphaz — heeded. Gently he began : — 
" Wilt thou be grieved ? " Words ready wait to 

flow, 
Like steed too long restrained, whose bits forego. 
For, while he spake not, silence brooded well 
His meditations, which, like seed, did swell 
To burst the soil, and now are ready quite, 
Volumes of poignant utterance to indite. 
" Wilt thou be grieved, Job, if we assay 
To commune with thee ? Yet who can withstay 
Himself from speaking?" Then at once pro- 
ceeds 
To compliment Job's past : his words and deeds. 
Thou hast instructed many : not the few 
Have reaped thy wisdom, and grown wiser, too. 
The weak, thy hands have strengthened, and, be- 
hold, 
Who would have fallen, thy words did straight 

uphold. 
Undoubtedly, himself had strength received ; 
Encouragement at times ; and now believed 
Duty and truth required acknowledgment. 
But, lo ! he quick descends from compliment, 



THE REPLY OF A FRIEND — ELIPKAZ. 07 

That to discuss wliich ready waits to burst, 
Which, on his mind and in his thought, was first. 
He intimates that words of Job which make 
Solace for others ; he too, might partake. 
Instead of which, with fainting, charges Job, 
At trouble's touch. As though in all earth's 

globe 
A greater sufferer were. At trouble's touch ! 
He faints? 'T was false. He faiiited not. Was 

such 
Mere touch of trouble ? Lo, his sons are dead ; 
His daughters, all, and, need more to be said, 
Such words to check ? Health gone, life in sus- 
pense ! 
He cautions Job against strong confidence 
In the uprightness of his ways. Gives vent 
By asking, " Who e'er perished, innocent ? " 
" Or were the righteous e'er cut off ? " and 

"where?" 
"Remember thee, I pray." He does not spare. 
Job does remember ; knows the allusion, too; 
And feels the question cutting through and 

through, 
As he recalls each daughter ; every son : 
They seem to come before him, one by one. 



98 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Bat Eliphaz continues, though Job weeps ; 
Says, " What man sows, he's seen, the same he 

reaps.'^ 
If sown iniquity and wickedness. 
The crop will furnish neither more nor less, 
In quality. Such perish by God's blast, 
And by His breath will be consumed at last. 
This calls to mind, and he intends no less. 
The great wind blowing from the wilderness 
That smote the house where sons and daughters, 

all, 
Met sudden death. Loud moans, with Job's tears 

fall. 
The figure of a lion with young whelps 
Gives Eliphaz important aid ; and helps 
To indicate what he presumes the cause 
That Job so suffers. It is transgressed laws 
Of God : and God His law will vindicate 
By retribution on, or small or great. 
Job had been so exalted in his view. 
Had he dispenser been, " no evil due 
To Job,'' he would have said. But God had 

dealt, 
And would not, were Job righteous. Thus he 

felt, 



THE REPLY OF A FRIEND— ELIPHAZ. 99 

While passed the week of days and nights away : 
One subject on his mind perpetually. 
The thought by day, at night, wove into dream : 
A spirit passed before him, just a gleam ; — 
The form but indistinct. But trembling awe 
Crept o'er the dreamer. Visibly he saw : — 
From, silence came a voice ; an image stood, — 
*' Shall mortal man more just be than his God ? 
Be purer than his Maker, shall a man ? " 
Eeflecting on his dream, he asks, " Who can ? " 
Beflection brought conclusion that, no more 
Than man, would God inflict. He had, before 
His dream, believed this must be truly so ; 
Now 'twas confirmed, and he must let Job 

know. 
It gave him strength to urge Job to commit 
His cause to God, who never would permit 
Correction undeserved : therefore, Job would 
Eventually perceive 'twas for his good 
To be chastised. He would renew life's morn, 
And close his life, as a ripe shock of corn. 



100 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 



CHAPTER XVIL 

PERFECTION, IN SOLITUDE. 

The speech concluded ; now, with many a sigh, 
Job, sick and weary, offers his reply : 
Reviewed each point which Eliphaz had made ; 
And mourned to think his woes so lightly weighed. 
Regarded this new trial most severe. 
That friends he'd held as true, kind, and sincere. 
Should, for their solace to himself, impart 
Words that well-nigh had broke his wounded 

heart. 
Statements against him cruelly severe. 
By his deep sufferings, all confirmed, appear. 
While, to himself God's terrors seem to array 
Against his life ; his spirit drink away. 
His life had been one constant aim at right, 
Yet now had fallen on him a deep, dark night ! 
He, thus dispirited, no comfort drew 
Erom his past life, as daily in review, 
Its scenes, or faint or vivid, floated by ; 
Both seen and felt by the mind's undimmed eye. 



PERFECTION, IN SOLITUDE. 101 

Hope of relief expires ; and having fled, 
He longs for dissolution ; — to be dead : 
That God would loose his hand, and take away 
His life : — would cut him off without delay. 
While Job is speaking, fades the light away. 
And brings the shadows of the closing day ; 
Their lengthening, leads him, by comparison. 
To think of servant, who, his labor done. 
Desires to see the shadows reach the length. 
To call him home, ere yet is spent his strength. 
It seems the reflex of his own desire. 
Growing more ardent, as the solar fire 
Eades in the west. Now he would fain have 

rest : 
But night, the favor brings not ; nor is blest 
By morn's return. And thus the months pass on, 
And death comes not. All choice of subjects 

gone. 
His sleepless self must think upon his flesh ; — 
Corrupt, disgusting ! bursts his griefs afresh. 
In anguish, he complains to the Most High, 
"Why such distress, yet not allowed to die? '' 
So insignificant, he seems to be ! 
"Now. to himself, he vainly strives to see 
The mystery solved, which grows in magnitude. 



102 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Betakes he to his habit. (Solitude, 

The deepest, sometimes, in a crowd is found ; 

Where sympathy is not, is its true ground.) 

Habitual prayer had been wont to ascend ; 

His thoughts and words had always heavenward 

trend. 
Job pours his soul out, now, in earnest prayer. 
There's no set form, nor others' words are there. 
His own expressions meet, alone, his case, 
No other one had ever held his place. 
^Tis well, heaven is not barred to deep complaint, 
That God will hear, what scarce befits a saint 
To utter, as from human standpoint viewed : — 
And thus make fruitful deepest solitude. 
This was Job's habit : here he found relief ; 
To go to God, and pour out all his grief. 



A FRIEXD'S DISAPPOINTMENT. 103 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

A friend's disappointment. 

BiLDAD the ShuLite, was quite unxjrepared 
For Job's reply. Elipliaz had not spared, 
In his address, strongly to intiuiate 
That Job had merited his present fate. 
Bildad expected as result, no less 
Than that Job would be influenced to confess 
Some wrong, resulting in the death of all 
His children; that Job would, perforce, recall : 
Perhaps some hidden sin, — the guilt his own — 
Which they had not, but he had long time 

known : — 
A recognition of his ill-desert : 
That said confession, would not fail to avert 
His present suffering ; thereby, his distress 
Be mitigated, and his griefs made less. 
Since Eliphaz had broke the way, 'twas plain 
Job might, with less reluctance, now explain ; 
With much more freedom — easy readiness, 
Than did they not expect him to confess. 



104 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

With the entirest lack of courtesy, 
Bildad proceeds with what he has to say ; 
Taking the track which Eliphaz has trod 
To help defend the way and works of God. 
Less smoothly he, with displayed vehemence, 
Keen cutting questions asks, with zeal intense. 
Nor courage needed, since he took the way 
Of popular belief, in his own day. 
He thought Job suffering by the choice of God ; 
Whose system, was a penal and reward : — 
This, for the righteous ; that, for those who err. 
Thought such God's scheme, and such His char- 
acter ! 
That God, on throne supernal, regal sat, 
And visited so much of this, for that : 
The deeds of evil-doer strictly weighed, 
And what was evil done, with evil paid : 
Debit and credit kept, — a strict account ; — 
And would by no means bate the least amount. 
Surely, a generous man would pity feel 
For one in such position, who must deal 
Out evil to him who has evil wrought ; 
Yet such was God, to Bildad, in his thought ! 
Sincere was Bildad ; meant right to defend : 
For this he argued ; this his aim and end. 



A FRIEND'S DISAPPOINTMENT. 105 

Careful to waver not toward heresy, ^ 

He intimates, in Job, hypocrisy, 

If he confess not, to some evil deed ; 

From whence, his ills and sufferings all, proceed, 

While such confession, will reverse the ban, 

Since God will not cast off a perfect man. 

As he began his speech, he likewise ends ; 

No sympathizing word to make amends. 

Job is condemned : not perfect is, nor good. 

While still the heavenly registration stood ; — 

*' A man that's perfect and upright, and one 

That feareth God. Like him, on eartb there's 

none. 
He escheweth evil.'^ This, had Bildad known, 
His speech had borne a somewhat milder tone. 
But he has cleared his conscience, with delight 
That he has dared to probe with all his might : 
Nor stooped from rectitude, to condescend 
To sympathize with such an erring friend ! 



106 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 



CHAPTER XTX. 

SELF-DEFEMSE. 

The entering wedge that Eliphaz had charged, 
Had been driven home by Bildad, now enlarged. 
The intimation keen, now downright said, 
Pierced deep the father's heart which freshly 

bled. 
" Cut off for their transgressions ! cast away ? " 
His children ! He no more for them could pray. 
They'd been a subject of his daily prayer 
Since their first breath ; and now, no more could 

share 
His suplications. But no words avail 
To lessen grief, or make such memories pale .• 
No vindication of their character. 
Make it appear that innocent they were. 
Since sudden death is put as evidence, 
No plea is valid in his sons' defense. 
Sentence and execution at one stroke ! 
Signal display, which on their feast-day broke, 
Of Divine justice, — for their sins' desert ! 



SELF-DEFEXSE. 107 

His friends' belief, render his words inert : 

Hence Job, in his opinion, will repose ; 

Without allusion to his childrens' woes : 

And in reply to Bildad, open on 

Another subject, better dwelt uponj — 

Of the relation which a man sustains 

To his Creator. Issue he refrains 

To take, at any statement Bildad made ; 

But recognizes true all he has said. 

" Be but the premises you've started true ; 

Correct are the conclusions which you drew. 

The case is clear, and, Bildad, you are right, 

I know it of a truth. 'Tis plain to sight.'' 

Job now proceeds his standard to display ; 

The measure which man's character must weigh ; 

His standard the pure God ; Him everywhere. 

But how shall man with the pure God compare ? 

Although by human standard man appear 

Noble, without reproach, from error clear, 

Surpassing excellent, yet when compared 

With Him who never errs ! What man has 

dared 
To measure with His qualities so pure ? 
Whose knowledge, reaching past man's deeds, is 

sure 



108 PERFECTION ATTAIXABLE. 

To note the impulse, motive, and design ; 
The end and aim, — the plans that intertwine. 
With the pure God how shall a man be just ? 
Keach the high mark, and be just what he must 
To be acquit of error, guilt and blame ? 
Who, if his Sovereign calling him by name 
Contend, and, at his hand equality 
Eequire, will not show great disparity, 
With not an answer that he can command, 
One to a thousand ? How shall man then stand ? 
Por wise in heart He is, mighty in strength. 
Thus Job, though weary, argues at full length ; 
Discourses on God's great and mighty deeds, — 
His power that, finding out, by man, exceeds. 
He then breathes out expressions, very clear. 
Of consciousness that God Himself is near. 
He sees Him not, but knows He's passing by ; 
Perceives Him not, yet feels that He is nigh. 
But now, again, renews he his complaint. 
The man who feels, is none the less a saint. 
Thinking his griefs — the error of his day — 
Signs of God's anger, he proceeds to say, 
" With such appearance, human help is vain." 
Nor can himself, with words his cause maintain. 
So high was God exalted to his mind, 



SELF-DEFENSE. 109 

That had he called, God answered, he would find 

Himself believing God had meant before 

To do what he had asked ; had done no more 

Nor different for his supplicating voice. 

Yet might he at the harmony rejoice, 

Between himself, — the suppliant making call, —< 

And Him who made, and cares, and feels for all. 

But while he speaks of God, no whit abates 

The suffering that annoys and irritates. 

While he denounces what his friends have said ; — 

That 'tis his sins have to misfortune led, — 

His wish is not himself to justify 

In all that he has done. He can descry 

Full many a flaw he fain would profit by. 

To say " I'm perfect," he declares would prove 

Himself perverse. Thus Job refrains to move 

One jot or tittle from his self-defense. 

And calmly reasons through felt impotence. 

Though, to be perfect, he both strove and aimed, 

Yet such distinction he at once disclaimed : 

Since otherwise, his mouth would him condemn. 

And prove his standard low, to him and them. 

It would evince that he was satisfied 

With lower mark than God had justified. 

Whereas, his once ideal now attained, 



110 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

His now ideal an advance has gained ; 

And when is reached by him his sometime goal, 

Not as one perfect does he know his soul. 

Thus, as a shadow, should one such pursue, 

'Twas never reached, yet never out of view. 

His ideal mocked him, since it would elude ; 

Still be beyond where once it seeming stood. 

Having disclaimed perfection as that word 

Is understood by man, when said or heard ; 

Job now lays down his own hypothesis. 

Quite ready to defend it, which is this : 

" The perfect and the wicked God destroys." 

He has observed it, and he but employs 

His power to notice and the facts deduce, — 

What other method is of equal use ? — 

Slay the scourge swift, God will not intervene 

'Twixt it and innocence to come between. 

The earth is given, — to him this point is clear, — ■ 

To wicked hands. They form the overseer. 

The faces of the judges of the earth 

He covereth. Their sight is nothing worth. 

If He has not done so whither away. 

And who is He, and where His place of stay ? 

Examples of blind judges were his friends ; 

Their blindness but the same sad truth portends. 



SELF DEFENSE. Ill 

The guilty suffer, but it does not show 

That only such deep suffering may know. 

This, Job declares, to be the one sure base 

On which affairs in life find resting-place. 

The evil suffer, and the good. But still 

Evil prevails. It can not be God's will. 

By some strange means the rule of earth is 

given 
To wicked hands ; nor ruled by powers of heaven. 
Job was approaching truth in his own case, 
And would develop yet sufficient grace 
To know and feel that being so there was 
The best of reasons, a most righteous cause. 
This knowledge came at last, and then he knew 
The fact discovered, and the reason too. 
The power to suffer is commensurate 
With the capacity, — or less, or great, — 
For true delight. They who can feel most bliss, 
Know most intensely what deep sorrow is. 
The willingness to suffer and endure, 
Others to raise to the same standard pure, 
Is God's own principle, which self forgets ; 
The royal chosen rule that finds no lets 
Kor hindrance in the Majesty Divine j 
Whose character and nature both combine 



112 PEEFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

To make complete a perfect ideal One — 
The Origin of Good. Whitherward run, 
As run far rivers toward the boundless sea, 
All who aspire to immortality. 
Not wrathful He, not bitter, nor corrupt, 
Though suffering long, slow-angered, — not ab- 
rupt — 
Not quick to render like for like to all. 
On good and bad lets daily blessings fall. 
God, thus enduring the sure consequence 
Of Lucifer's rebellion, — his defense 
Of evil, — all resulting in its train, 
And waiting still with patience to refrain 
From meting out to him his just deserts; 
By wooing, winning, tireless love, asserts 

His love unequalled. 
For the universe 

Is Job now used as demonstration terse. 
To prove the problem to a certainty, 
That one may, with his choice and will both 

free. 
Choose suffering, rather than consent to sin. 
One sole example will the victory win. 
Job knew it not. His darkness was a need 
To confound Satan, and his silence speed. 



SELF-DEFENSE. 113 

Had knowledge of the future life been given^ 
Satan would straight have said, Job served for 

heaven. 
Great was the effort needed to attain 
This height, hy Job, above his griefs and pain ; 
To keep his thoughts above misfortunes great, 
And dire disease : them, so to concentrate, 
As to conduct an argument sublime 
On things which shall outlive the things of time. 
"Which things require, as medium for the mind 
The same frail body ; weak, as now we find, — 
To give them form, perceptible and plain 
To one who wills to see, and seeks to gain 
The things that die not ; nor become the less, 
Though grasped by many, and the more possess. 
Indeed, no other soil can truth e'er find. 
In which to thrive, but the immortal mind. 
Having announced his thesis. Job now droops. 
Beneath the burden physical, he stoops ; 
Speaks of himself, and of his days again; 
Would fain forget complaint, yet must complain. 
Full many a day he's been in Satan's power. 
And weary borne each heavy passing hour. 
Full many a sun has risen as brilliantly, 
And radiant set, as when prosperity 



114 PERFECTTON ATTAINABLE. 

Had blest his life, and it in halo set. 
Memories, he neither can nor would forget : 
By which the present contrast marked with 

blight, 
Gloams in the darkness of a polar night. 
And now another day draws to its close, 
AVhile no relief its fading color shows. 
His friends sit silent, or in apathy. 
Nor comfort Job, who longs for sympathy. 
The sunset glow is gone ; the pale twilight 
Has faded into blank and sombre night. 
And all, save Job, are sunk in quiet sleep. 
His hours are spent in sighs and moans, which 

keep 
No record of the hours, till breaks the day. 
To wake no hope for him ; nor cheer his way. 
Hope had been his, that, last of all the three, 
Zophar, would silence break with sympathy. 
But speaks he not ; hence Job resumes again. 
Speaks in his own behalf, despite his pain. 
Looks he to God, who knows his life, his pains, 
Whose way has caused stagnation in his veins ! 
He marvels that he came to life at all ; 
Or gave not up the ghost at early call. 
Assured he was that God knew he was not 



SELF-DEFENSE. 115 

Wicked, by will : nor cherished sin in thought. 

Prevaricate, should he, lie could not hope 

To flee God's power ; or think with Him to cope. 

Satan was not, and this full well he knew. 

Trying Job only. All the trial through. 

Aware he was that, to the heart of God, 

Job was most dear ; — held worthy of reward. 

And he would have accomplished what he 

sought, 
Had God but intervened His power, and wrought 
A cure on Job : or answered but his prayer. 
Explaining why the rod He did not spare. 
As surely as had he been brought to curse, — 
Less cared he for the means, than end — much 

worse. 
God would that all the truth should feel and 

know. 
He takes His own best way His truth to show. 
Job's ignorance was needed, till 'twas shown 
One would do right, from choice of right alone. 
Would Job but curse, then Satan would deny 
That any held a principle more high. 
Would Job not curse by ills so brought to bear, 
God, knowing all, would He but hear Job's 

prayer, 



116 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

And quick decide injustice should be stayed, 
Nor longer of himself should be arrayed, 
Satan's false statements : making Him appear 
Cruel, vindictive, absent, or austere, — 
Then Satan held in readiness to stand 
Before the sons of God, with answer bland, — 
"Job would have cursed, but premature release 
Proves Job God's favorite \ any price for peace. 
God does not suifer : than himself, no less 
Will keep his favorites, so they'll choose to 

bless." 
Satan still argues : " What does God require ? 
All to be like him. Just this I desire. 
He does His will, nor suffers, that would I, 
I'd do my will, and from all suffering fly. 
I will not suffer. Might, it is, makes right. 
I have the power. Let all with me unite, 
And each shall have the rule, — suffer shall none, 
Eeap glory, looking out for number one." 
Simple assertion, though the Word of God, 
Held no account with Satan. Nowise awed, 
He made a bold demand for proof. And why 
Job's prayer was long unanswered ; the reply 
Is hereby seen. No cause in Job. Nor cause 
In God. But by inevitable laws 



SELF-DEFENSE. 117 

Which rule and govern conscious sentient mind ; 
Which conscious power, being at once combined 
With moral freedom ; be such one accused 
By one who has his God-given powers abused ; 
He must then share God's need to manifest 
His character, by the long-suffering test : 
IVIust prove by suffering, suffering's noble power 
To conquer wrong, and weaken error's tower. 
Hence, then. Job's prayer, though seemingly un- 
heard, 
Eeached God's own heart. He felt it, every 

word. 
It must needs be. ^Twas meant to testify 
And give assurance of God's sympathy, 
So long as ever sorrowing sigh be heaved, 
Or God's own children feel they are bereaved. 



118 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 



CHAPTEE XX. 

A THIRD friend's EFFORT. 

ZoPHAR, as the clear flow of Job's discourse 

Fell on his ear, felt lie had no resource 

Prom which to draw an argument of power, 

The doctrine to refute, which formed Job's tower 

Of strong defence : and, as Job did progress, 

Felt more and more his entire emptiness. 

To speak or not to speak : 'twas this he weighed. 

For, failing to reply, it would be laid 

To him as tacitly acknowledging 

Job vindicated. He must answer bring. 

Or Job acquitted stands, and free from guilt ; 

With character and reputation built. 

But Job, he saw, diseased from head to foot ! 

This was, to him, sufficient proof to put. 

That Job, thus suffering, surely guilty is : — 

Chained as he was to the hypothesis 

Set forth already, which is briefly this : — 

They only suffer, who have done amiss : 

Who suffer not, good character have built ; 



A THIRD FRIEND'S EFFORT. 119 

While suffering is sure evidence of guilt. 

If he replies, he's by a circle bound ; 

He can't refute, but must go begging round. 

The other two — Job's friends, and friends of 

his, — 
Hold as substantial this hypothesis. 
Age and experience they have, more than he ; 
Courage he lacks, therefore decides to be 
On their side who have health ; with them to 

agree. 
While Job is speaking, he with Job believes ; 
But still will pin his faith upon their sleeves. 
And their expression, as he casts a glance 
To read the mind expressed on countenance, 
Reveals that they do not abate a whit 
Of their opinion, as they've stated it. 
Strengthened by them, with perfect self-com- 
mand, 
He takes a firm and unrelenting stand. 
Commences with a question, not profound. 
That in his mind has been revolving round. 
"Should not the multitude of words,'^ — profuse 
Job probably had seemed to him in use 
Of language, — " be answered ? '' " And should 
a man 



120 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Be justified who's full of talk ? and can, 

Or should, thy lies make men to hold their 

peace ? 
And when thou mockest, must all others cease ? 
And shall no man make thee ashamed ? " No 

lack 
Of zeal is manifest in this attack. 
But what a harsh, unfeeling, blunt essay, 
Absence of wisdom, wit, and courtesy ! 
While no reply to Job his words contain, 
No answer to the man of grief and pain ; 
In Zophar, that there's envy cropping out. 
There's scarcely room for shadow of a doubt. 
He feels Job's fullness of ability, 
To clothe in words his mind's fertility ; 
And manifests a conscious lack of tact 
To argue well and cause Job to retract. 
He came to comfort Job ! but offers prayer 
To God, not that his servant Job He'd spare, 
But to appear against him ! He complained 
That Job with firm adherence so maintained 
His first position ; yet a single point 
Makes not, to show Job where he's out of joint 
With truth. If he, in Job's speech, could detect 
That which was inconsistent, incorrect, 



A THIKD FRIEND'S EFFOPwT. 121 

This was the time and place to set him right ; 
For truth he might contend ; with words, words 

fight. 
But easier 'tis to say, thcin saying prove. 
And easjr 'tis to run in well-worn groove. 
But, lacking proof, it is a weak resort, 
To say negation must be proved, and ought 
To be. While indolence, content, may hold 
A statement true, because it's very old. 
But age, as age, can no respect command, — 
On firmer basis God's own truth must stand, — ■. 
For else might Lucifer make some fair show 
To his once claim for genuflection low. 
Zophar, adhering to the old, old creed. 
Thrusts hard at Job, of courage has no need. 
Declares, at hand of God, Job suffers less 
Than he deserves. Some sin he should confess. 
While he exhorts, blames ^oh for his desire 
The cause, of his deep suffering to inquire. 
As though himself, being far in the advance, 
Could comprehend and see truth at a glance : 
Or else were satisfied with but a ray. 
And scorned to search for truth's effulgent day. 
" Canst thou by searching find out God ? " he 

asks, 



122 pehfection attainable. 

" Canst thou find out the Almighty ? Do such 

tasks 
Bring profit ? To perfection, canst thou find 
Out, the vast, deep, immeasurable Mind ? " 
Not less exalted, God, to whom Job prayed ; 
Than was the God whom Zophar now portrayed. 
Nor would Job fain, God's being, so explore, 
So find Him out, that there should be no more 

To comprehend. 
But God has given His word 
That those who early seek shall find the Lord. 
The time, when He that knowledge will impart. 
Is, when the seeker seeks with all the heart. 
Not seeking with the head alone, can show 
The same result that head with heart can know. 
While having found Him once, there is no more 
A limit to His boundless reservoir. 
Supply eternal found, for heart and mind, 
As all, with Job, who thirsting seek, will find. 
And this will be their joy, beyond a doubt. 
They may seek ever, never find Him out. 
And God, so far from checking this employ, 
Bids him make this His glory and His joy. 
Who glory would ; that he can understand, 
Eeceive and know Him who holds all command. 



A THIRD FRIEND'S EFFORT. 



123 



Having exhorted, Zophar stoops, to wait 

What Job will in confession dare relate. 

Hoping, perchance, that Job will freely own, 

Eelieve himself, and let the worst be known. 

Toward wealth of goodness, on millennial plane, 

Toward highest reach that excellence can gain. 

The world is not advanced, the least degree, 

By exhortations to integrity : 

But by a vital product, in the heart. 

Of goodness that, from self, can never part : — 

A happy, living spontaneity 

To lessen grief, whate'er the cause may be. 



124 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

A VEIN OF IRONY. 

When expectation ceases to be met, 
Till expectation ceases ; one may get 
Accustomed to the lack of that desired, 
And rise to higher plane with hope retired ; 
Above the ran^e of disappointment's dart : 
Not simply self-contained, but, pure in heart, 
Containing Him, who will as guest abide 
Where welcome meets : — as 'twere, will, side by 

side — 
Like Enoch, — to companionship be brought, 
Ancl walk with God : God's thoughts, by him, be 

thought. 
Now Job had reached such an exalted tower. 
That Zophar, by no means possessed the power 
To disappoint him in what he might say. 
He might have once, but now had passed that 

day. 
In all the seven silent days, had one 
Some cordial sympathetic act have done> 



A VEIN OF IKOXY. 125 

Some word have said ; — could one from his 

standpoint 
Have viewed his sufferings, and a time appoint 
To plead his cause ; to his thoughts language 

give; 
Voicing his words ; express, in terms that live, 
His ideas for him : — could but one of them 
Have been his advocate ; one, not condemn ; 
So, that without an effort of his mind. 
They could have led, he followed: — then, so 

kind. 
And such essential aid, they would have been ; — 
They would have seemed the friends he trusted in. 
That time had past. Not that indifferent 
He had become ; but disappointment 
Could not with keenness now, as at the first, 
Break on the sufferer ; when, with fresh outburst, 
His friends accuse ; or, with extravagance. 
Assume themselves upon an eminence. 
Should pity now, and sympathy, arise, 
'Twould gratify him, while it would surprise. 
Having his own case plead, and confident 
That he was true, and right in his intentj 
That this, God knew ; thereby, he did attain 
A higher life, on more exalted plane 



126 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Than that his friends, exulting, occupied : 
Could look down on them, candidly decide 
The worth and value, — the just estimate 
Of their opinions : — rank their worth and 

weight. 
So much composure, as could be attained 
By one from crown to sole diseased and pained ; 
Job gathered, and, with patient listening, heard 
Zophar's address ; well heeding every word. 
But, Zophar ended, all undaunted, he 
Believed himself, in terms of irony. 
^''No doubt," he said, " but ye the people are, 
And wisdom shall die with you. Near nor far, 
When you are gone, shall wisdom more be found? 
^ Twill be extinct, when you are under ground. 
You speak as though all knowledge that can be, 
Was in yourselves stored up ; as though you she 
All to be seen : as though your minds contain 
The sum that all may ever ascertain. 
But I can understand, as well as you : 
Nor am inferior. What you've said that's true. 
Who does not know?" Then 'gainst them Job 

brings charge 
Of disrespect, and mockery at large. 
They laugh to scorn, not pay Id g the regard 



A VEIN OF IRONY. 127 

His character could claim. They should discard 
Their false ideas ; ere this time, have learned 
That robbers prosper who the right, have spurned. 
They gain their ends : that God, does not, by 

force, 
Wrest from their grasp, what they gain by wrong 

course. 
They provoke God ; yet they dwell quite secure : 
God does not deal direct, with sentence sure, 
Meting their ill-desert out with such share 
Of evil, as their evil doings dare. 
They ought to know, that ill-desert and woes. 
Stand not related, as they do suppose. 
Each to the other : this they might descry 
By the wild beasts, and by the birds that fly. 
Creatures of the earth, and fishes of the sea. 
Tell there is suffering where no guilt can be. 
So God ordains, by His unerring mind. 
All souls he holds ; the breath of all mankind. 
They agitate, as Job thus argues clear. 
He calls attention ; that they heed and hear 
With undivided diligence his speech. 
Wait his conclusions, ere they seek to teach. 
His friends seem distant, cold. God draws more 

near J 



128 PEKFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

To Him Job speaks, conscious that He will hear. 

Asks for so much relief that he may use 

Ably his mental powers, as he would choose. 

He thinks himself for errors of his youth 

As punished now ; well knowing, that in truth, 

His more mature and riper life has been 

Eenunciation of the ways of sin. 

As Job undaunted his own cause defends, 

A holy horror seizes his three friends. 

By signs they ask that he no more will say. 

Lest sudden stroke shall take his life away. 

He bids them hold their peace, let him alone 

That he may speak, and let what will come on. 

They need not give themselves anxiety 

Lest he offend pious propriety. 

The risk he'll take and bide the consequence. 

What he may say will be at his expense. 

They only for themselves can be arraigned. 

Not for the doctrines by himself maintained. 

Producing thus their peace and quiet state. 

Job then proceeds himself to vindicate ; 

Eegards life less than truth. Though God should 

slay, 
He will maintain the truth, and his own way. 
He longs to close his weary, painful days ; 



A VEIN OF ITIOXY. 



129 



Doubts where he is who nature's last debt pays. 
To be from life forever gone, shut out ! 
His spirit chills. He has a happy doubt. 
The tree cut down, will sprout again and grow. 
Man giveth up the ghost, — no more may know ? 
If a man die, shall he, too, live again ? 

No answer comes, and Job must wait in pain. 

He can not think that God should but desire 

Man to recall ; His work than which no higher. 

And should he in that sleep beneath the ground 

But hear His voice, he'd answer at the sound. 

He feels life brief ; would fain discover why 

He suffers, weary, not allowed to die. 

Closing he brings a brief, sad resume 

Of pain experienced, and calamity. 

But not the slightest thought of cursing God. 
Still will he trust Him, though he feels the rod. 



130 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

A SECOND SPEECH FROM ELIPHAZ. 

Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, 
Kot doubting that himself was in the right. 
Impatient for this opportunity, 
He plunges with assured serenity : 
Eegards Job's speech as hollow and bombast, 
And, from his lips, surprising to have passed. 
Accuses Job with having cast off fear. 
And before God restrained the words of prayer. 
Asks him, were he the first one ever born, 
Before the hills had he his being's dawn ? 
Inquires of Job if he God's secret knows. 
Which He has shown, and Job will not disclose. 
'^ With us," he says, " both the grey-headed are. 
And men much older than thy father, far." 
Asks if God's consolations are so small, 
That Job, therefor, will not confess at all ? 
With no compassion for Job's suffering state. 
To vent in words he does not hesitate. 
Naught less than Job's admission of his guilt 



A SECOND SPEECH FROM ELirilAZ. 131 

Will satisfy. He'll pierce to the sword's hilt, — 
If words like swords cau pierce, and sure they 

may. 
Leaving a scar that's slow to wear away. 
No stronger proof to him of guilt can be, 
Than Job's condition of adversity. 
These friends had never thought to search and 

see 
Whereon was based their creed and theory. 
'Twas held most firmly by their choice — their 

wills : 
Enough, 'twas old. Was Job before the hills ? 
Job's restoration, they had in their mind. 
His cause at heart, in vain we seek to find. 
And, as in every case, where leads the head, 
Keeping in strict abeyance, — as 'twere, dead, — 
The heart — which is the fountain-spring of 

life — 
Satan gains vantage-ground, so here were rife 
Peculiar weapons, with which Job to assail ; 
Satan would conquer by the three friends' fiail. 
And he might now lie back, and gloat at will ; 
The Temanite, his work, with equal skill. 
Or better than the Adversary's own, 
Was pushing on. For it is felt and known 



PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 



That 'tis more cutting if accused, opposed, 

By cherislied friends, than by one ill-disposed. 

Eliphaz charged Job with restraining prayer ! - 

Was he asleep, absorbed ? not to know there 

Had been throughout, in Job's recent reply. 

Addresses made to God — true heartfelt cry ? 

Perhaps he failed to follow Job, and fled 

To ideas running in his o'er-tasked head. 

Another charge 'gainst Job he subtly brings ; 

Uttering iniquity, and crafty things. 

If Eliphaz the first was, to evade 

An argument, unanswerable made, 

By styling it ingenious, crafty, keen ; 

He, not the last, was. Such may now be seen. 

Believing Job to be an impious man, 

Appearing as religious, only can 

Be sign and token of hypocrisy, — 

Give evidence how deep in sin, is he. 

That men of age, are wise proportionate 

Unto their years, he holds as postulate. 

That this is false, to him is to be shown ; 

jSTot yet perceived, but time will make it known. 

He cruel questions asks, all unaware 

Whose cause he has espoused. Himself a snare ! 

Deems, by this method, Job will yet succumb. 



A SECOXD SPEECH FROM ELIPHAZ. 133 

And his confession, easier, thus become. 

But he, in haste, had accusation built, 

Without demanding certain proof of guilt. 

Without relenting he, all undismayed. 

To the affiicted Job, straightway portrayed 

The case of him, who, stretcheth out his hand 

Against the Almighty; careful to expand 

By an allusion to Job's family ; 

His sons and daughters, feasting happily. 

Those, unripe grapes, shaken from off the vine ; 

These, olive-flowers, cast off by wise design. 

Thus he maintains, that in the world of time. 

Punishment travels on the heels of crime. 

That, by misfortune, evil deeds are met ; 

That who rebel, such suffering sure must get. 

He, by alluding to hypocrisy, 

Means, thus depicted, Job himself shall see. 

With this he pauses. Waits he now to hear 

If Job presumes again himself to clear. 



134 PEEFECTION ATTAINABLE. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 
job's review of the speech of eliphaz. 

To speech of Eliphaz Job gave due heed, 

Hoping for that which heart or mind might feed. 

But only heard reiteration. Told 

Again the twice-told tale. Such friends! so 
cold! 

Were he, in their soul's stead, he said, he could 

Against them heap such words ; — but never 
would. 

Instead thereof, he'd bring them strength — re- 
lief. 

His moving lips should quite assuage their grief. 

He mourned that speaking made his grief no 
less; 

Or, spake he not, no more came happiness. 

Speaking, or silent, comes no health, no cheer ; 

The same dull round wears round the dreary 
year. 

Job speaks of God, then to Him ; alternates, 

As he to God or man his statement states. 



JOB'S REVIEW OF THE SPEECH OF ELIPHAZ. 135 

Bemoans that his condition seems to rise 

As witness up, before his face and eyes ; 

Eeviews the attitude people around 

Have taken toward him, solely on this ground. 

What disrespect, with mouth and eye, they've 

played ; 
And on his cheek their hands have rudely laid ! 
Reviewing this, with freedom he expands ; 
He is delivered into wicked hands. 
" God hath delivered me," sadly he sighs. 
Concludes this must be so, since there arise 
No helping hands to aid in his distress ; 
And from his friends, come words of bitterness ! 
He did not understand, to give free play, — 
Eull scope, — to creature-will, God must and may 
Withhold results that are His choice ; His will 
Eelinquish freely — not at once fulfill 
What He would do had no free will opposed ; 
Had none rebelled ; none free been ill-disposed ; 
Withhold His choice in some specific case. 
That this was needed, action, time, and space. 
To prove God's will the soul's best resting-place : 
That though, God's will 'tis best for all to choose, 
On creature-will, with freedom to refuse, 
God can not force His will, yet, leave them free. 



136 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Freedom and force must antithetic be. 

His will, good-^iW, which wil], alone makes free, 

All who accept it, to eternity. 

God can not force His choice, although the best, 

And would, accepted, bring joy, peace and rest. 

Job, as in figure, so in fact lies low — 

In ashes, suffering ; pining truth to know. 

Knows not he's dear to the great Sovereign's 
heart. 

Of whom himself is even counterpart ! 

That all his ills, and griefs, and trying pain, 

Are for promotion of God's glorious reign ; 

To convict Satan, bring truth evidence 

That must be purchased at such vast expense. 

Time passes on. He thought ere this to die ; 

But death defers. His friends make no reply. 

" The graves are ready, even now, extinct 

My days are," he complained. 

Spectators winked 

As if to say " That's so." Job sees the sign, 

And feels that mockers with the crowd com- 
bine. 

For morbid curiosity a crowd 

Had drawn ; to sneer, and jeer, and echo loud 

The tales they heard of Job's hypocrisy ; 



JOB'S REVIEW OF THE SPEECH OF ELIPHAZ. 137 

And tlius, annoying, spurn his misery. 
Denouncing them, Job his own course commends, 
Declares that he, who flattereth his friends, 
Shall, in his children, failure have of sight 
Distinctly to discern 'twixt wrong and right. 
Ordained by nature, parents' habits move 
The child's impulses, in the self-same groove. 
Heuce, in the parent, power perverted proves 
A variation of the proper grooves. 
Transmitted faculty, reduced in power. 
Becomes in children poor paternal dower. 
Thus father's sins, on children visited, 
Are doomed, by father, on the children's head. 
Not curse of God. But by Him plainly told, 
In the one Book that age doth not make old. 
In truth's behalf Job begs his friends to make 
A review of their premises, and take 
Into consideration of the theme 
The view of things, as from his point they seem. 
For, not one wise among them can he find ; 
If such they are, he's sure they'll change their 

mind 
Assured, while troubled Job his speech thus ends. 
And to his friends his ov/n sad case commends. 



138 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 



CHAPTEE XXIV. 

bildad's second speech. 

Etiquette now to Bildad next gives place ; 
And promptly he, with very little grace 
Proceeded. Sad deficiency he showed 
In love that will an ill report explode. 
The words of Job, compassion moving not, 
Took antithetic form, and callous wrought. 
He felt Job's censure, and sent bounding back, 
Eeply he hoped Job would not dare attack. 
Eor he had hoped, if Eliphaz should fail 
Job to convict, his words might so avail 
As Job to silence. Bids him never hope 
To silence them, or with their logic cope. 
Oft as he speaks, so oft they'll answer give. 
And this will last as long as he shall live. 
So much for prelude. Now he'll undertake 
Job to review, and a reply to make. 
As beasts he charges Job with counting them. 
Which charge, by signs. Job does at once con- 
demn. 



BILDAD'S SECOND SPEECH. 139 

Because^ as men lie does not hold them wise j 
It does not rank them beasts before his eyes. 
Bildad mistakes the signs, and half aloud, 
With gesture he addresses now the crowd : 
Speaks at Job to the witnesses around, 
Who watch to find who best will hold his ground. 
Bids them to note Job's anger ! Then, as though 
No change their firm opinion e'er could know, 
Asks Job, for him, if the earth shall be left, 
Or rock removed, because he is bereft. 
Enlarges on the trap, the snare, and all 
The evils that the wicked shall befall. 
Nor aught has he in closing else to say, 
Than suffering of the wicked to portray. 
He has no word of comfort to impart, 
But means that Job shall lay the whole to heart. 



140 pehfectiox attainable. 



CHAPTER XXV. 

JOB SUPERIOR TO BILDAD. 

A PRIEST, who ministers in sacred things, 

Who, to the service, health and vigor brings, 

Will find, if calumny its foul breath throw 

Upon his name, 'twill bring his spirits low. 

'Twill enervate, and bear upon its train 

Mental disturbance, and disabling pain. 

All of which troubles tend to quite unfit 

Por office-work, and for enjoying it. 

But Job, already sick, bowed down with grief, 

Calumniously is charged, without relief: 

Faced down against all statements he can make ; 

No evidence produced by those who take 

Against him. 

Twice has Bildad asked. " How long ? " — 

In each address. Listless as to a song, 

To what Job utters. End, is what he seeks ; — 

That Job be silenced ; not the last who speaks. 

Job, in reply, quotation from him makes. 

Inquires, " How long will ye my soul thus vex ? '' 



JOB SUTERIOR TO BILDAD. 141 

In asking Job, " How long shall vain words be ? " 

Bildad, in speaking, used the plural ye. 

As though, alone, Job were himself, a host ; 

At least, himself might so presume to boast. 

For, had Job had one sympathizing friend, 

It would have been disclosed before the end. 

Job's friends bring censures, and the same re- 
peat ; 

Then, waiting, wrap themselves in self-conceit. 

Ko charge specific, against him they bring ; 

Yet hope their course will his confession wring. 

While Job, admitting " God hath overthrown j " 

Declares, that out of wrong, he cries alone. 

Unable to discern the reason why, 

He feels of glory stripped, of dignity. 

All his afflictions are, by Job, believed 

Directly from the hand of God, received. 

Most keen, he felt estrangement of his friends : 

No servant to his call, an answer sends. 

Entreaty naught availed : nor came his wife. 

Besought by memory of their children's life. 

Young children scorn him, when they see him 
rise ; 

And treasured friends, cast on him, evil eyes. 

He sighs for pity : wishes that a book, 



142 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

With iron pen, whereon all eyes might look, 
Were written : graven in the rock with lead, 
That ever might be read, what he had said. 
Then might fair argument be made out clear, 
And right, and righteousness, in truth appear. 
Job's prayer reached heaven, his words, though 

not engraved 
Upon a rock, had record, and are saved. 
Now, heaven, to Job, its consolation sends ; 
Assurance that can not be moved by friends. 
Belief that some one lives who will redeem : 
That, in his flesh restored, to him shall seem 
Upon the earth to stand, at latter day : 
That, in his flesh, God shall Himself, display. 
'Twas not by force of logic. Job attained 
This height sublime, this calm assurance gained. 
Koble result it is, of God's great power. 
Which can the intellect quite overtower : 
Dispensing with the' logic of the mind. 
Can unseal eyes that, otherwise, were blind : 
The truth, within the domain of the heart, 
Can, without mental logic, clear impart ; 
As sure, as truth by intellect received, 
Waits process logical, to be believed. 
(This truth by Paul, the apostle, is rehearsed, 



JOB SUPERIOR TO BILDAD. 143 

Who, in the highest lore, was amply versed*.) 
Job shows his friends, warming in his address, 
A better method than they now possess. 
He was not irreligious, they should know. 
They should acknowledge this. It being so, 
" Why persecute him ? '^ This, they ought to 

say. 
And their attention turn another way. 
Their present attitude to him, and toward. 
Should make them fear the judgment of the 

sword. 
Job, speaking thus, exhibits power to rise 
Above things gross, which meet the mortal eyes ; 
Buoyed up by hope, though weak and desolate. 
Does not retract, will not prevaricate. 
But while he speaks, impatience meets his eyes. 
One waves his hand and makes attempt to rise. 

* Eph. iii. 19. 



144 PEHFECTION ATTAINABLE. 



CHAPTER XXYI. 

AN INTEKRUPTION. 

ZoPHAK now interrupts. He can not wait 
To hear from Job all that he has to state : 
Relucting first, — when came his former turn, — 
Now cannot wait : his thoughts within him barn. 
Hence he breaks in with this apology : 
"Therefore my thoughts cause me to answer 

thee ; 
And for this I make haste." My thoughts (we 

call 
Digested thoughts our own, original). 
Zophar, the others' thoughts, could now con- 
dense. 
And fairly make a point:— an inference. 
He seems to think if Job will only wait, 
He can produce a certain sure checkmate. 
The check of his reproach, has prominence. 
Which he received from Job. He, in defense, 
The spirit of his understanding, pleads, 
Prompting his speech, which prompting he must 
needs 



AN INTERRUPTION. 145 

Obey. 

The charge, from. Job, of mockery, 

Zophar so chafed, that nearly deaf was he 

To speech of Job. Its excellences, quite 

Were lost and hidden from his inner sight. 

Now he conceived his thoughts pellucid ran : 

Asked, " Does not Job know that since first was 

•man 
Placed on the earth, the triumph is but short 
Of wicked men ? " He brings in no new 

thought ; 
But speaks of joy the hypocrite obtains, — 
Its brevity ; although a name he gains 
For excellency ; mounting as heaven high. 
His head, beyond the clouds, up to the sky. 
Thus, recognizing that Job's family 
Held high position, — standing socially. 
This, as an abstract truth, he'd have applied 
Concretely, by Job's conscience terrified. 
He saw it clear. 'Twas evident to all : 
Job had stood high, proportionate his fall. 
Some hidden sin there was, to which Job clung. 
And rolled as morsel sweet under his tongue. 
By such insinuation, he has thought. 
Job, to confession, may be urged and brought. 



146 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

In closing, states what surely shall befall 
The hypocrite. That, more or less, this all 
The portion is to wicked men, from God. 
This is his heritage : this his reward. 
'Tis tantamount to saying, all at once, 
" This, Job, is your reward ; — inheritance." 
Believed by speech, he fancies this the end. 
That Job will say no more ; no more contend. 



JOB RESUMES. 



147 



CHAPTEK XXYII. 

JOB RESUMES. 

It is most true, no novice may conclude 
Whether the work produced by him is good : 
Or what result, the work produced will bring, 
Or whether it result in any thing. 
Zophar, relieved of what he had in store, 
Better prepared to listen than before, 
. In his conceit, imagines that his speech. 
Will silence Job till he the point shall reach 
Of free confession, open, full and frank : 
That then, restored to health, Zophar he'll thank! 
His speech had interrupted Job, 'tis true : 
But Job had spoke so long, he'd reason to 
Break in. So it to Zophar must have seemed, 
Or, waiting still, he wisdom would have deemed. 
B 4, Zophar ended. Job resumes, and first 
Alludes to that which, interrupting, burst 
Erom Zophar's lips : anticipates that more 
^lay interrupt, ere his discourse is o'er. 
Entreats, they hear with diligence, his speech: 



148 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Wait till he's through^ ere they attempt to teach. 
That then, this may their consolation be, 
They can again resume their mockery. 
On Zophar, he no barrier or restraint 
Would interpose, to hinder or prevent 
The full and free expression of his mind, 
Although it might be cutting or unkind. 
'Twere bad, to have them groundlessly accuse; 
'Twas worse, if friends held back deceit to use. 
This admonition given, by Zophar caused, 
Job now resumes, as though he had but paused. 
The subject-matter, in his mind before, 
Discusses ; varied, doubtless, somewhat more. 
Complains he not to man : although men may. 
Being present, hear what he feels moved to say. 
Asks, if complaint of his, to them were made. 
Why should he not be troubled and afraid ? 
Did they afford him aught, that he should more 
Be cheered, encouraged, strengthened, than 

before ? 
'^Mark me, and be astonished,'' he contends. 
They'll interrupt again, he apprehends ; 
Hence, bids them on their mouth to lay theii- 

hand. 
And in position keep respectful stand. 



JOB RESUMES. 149 

His memory, reproducing scenes afresh, 
Brings trembling agitation to his flesh, 
Which, would they mark with ready, open mind, 
As he rehearses, one result must find. 
Candid attention must arrive at this, 
Relinquishment of their hypothesis : 
Since well-known facts, have power to dispossess 
Them, of the theory, they still confess. 
Then Job proceeds, amply to multiply 
Proofs that his own position justify. 
Facial expressions, plainly manifest 
To Job, the thoughts his friends hold unex- 
pressed. 
Which, he declares to them, he reads ; and knows 
The wrong devices, which, themselves oppose 
Against him. They are ready, all, to say 
" The wicked, who are prospering to-day. 
Are but reserved : destruction will waylay 
And overtake them. They shall be brought forth 
And reap experience of a day of wrath." 
" But who," he asks, " will meet such on the way. 
And to his face your argument will lay ? 
Who shall repay him for what he hath done ? 
No one will dare to face him ! he'll pass on 
Till to the grave he's brought, — no joy made 
dim, — 



150 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Then sweet the valley clods shall be to him. 
How can your answers to me comfort bring, 
Since falsehoods linger in your answering ? " 
Job pauses, thinking that an aogry God 
Distributes sorrows in His wrath abroad. 
His sad experiences, have made him feel 
That God does not, strict compensation, deal. 



A THIRD SPEECH FROM ELIPHAZ. 151 



CHAPTEK XXVIII. 

A THIRD SPEECH FROM ELIPHAZ. 

Now Elipbaz the truth would fain defend ; 

But argument with him is at an end. 

Surprised, he sees Job rise above his pain 

His views to argue, and his cause maintain. 

The Temanite, since he can not deny 

The wicked, sometimes prosper, till they die,— 

Evades the subject, and inquiry makes. 

Of things most deep, the thought, he brings, 

partakes. 
"Has God more pleasure, has He any gain, 
If thou art righteous ? if thy life attain 
Perfection ? " 

Now God's character is brought 
To our attention. Following not their thought 
Who early groped without the gospel light, 
We answer Eliphaz ; — Christ, giving sight. 
God doth have pleasure, when His works progress 
In ways that He ordained, and loves to bless. 
Not less than human, God has joy : and gain 



152 PERFECTION 2_TTAINABLE. 

Brings home to heaven j when men like Job 

attain 
Perfection. God, this truth has verified 
By His incarnate Son who lived and died ^ — 
And rose again ! All glory to His name ! 
Let love, like His, all conscious life inflame. 
Eliphaz wishes Job to understand 
That God dispenses judgment, nor will stand 
In fear. That He, no argument, will bring : — 
He thought God would not stoop to reasoning. 
This third attempt, he is resolved, shall wring 
From Job confession : — the specific thing. 
And he will plunge with keen, outspoken talk. 
Job must be guilty though he says they mock. 
Hence he proceeds, specific sins, to state : 
" Thy wickedness," he asks, ^' is it not great ? " 
Charging, on Job, commission of each deed ! 
Bids him acknowledge all, that he be freed 
From all his ills. If he would but return 
To the Almighty, he would justly earn. 
And lay up, gold, as dust. Silver and gold. 
Should have in plenty. He moreover told 
Job, he'd enjoy religious services; 
Would plar, and carry out his purposes. 

♦ Luke XV. 7. 



A THIRD SPEECH FROM ELIPHAZ. 153 

Be better able, those cast down, to cheer, 
By citing his own case : make it appear 
How he once fell from rectitude ; and then 
Eeturned to right, and found relief from pain : 
Could show the humble ones, in coming days. 
Light that would shine, — did Job but mend his 

ways. 
He would have peace, and this, a rich reward ; 
Would he but now acquaint himself with God. 



154 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

THE REPLY TO ELIPHAZ. 

If Job's three friends, had shadow of a doubt 
That they were right, but dare not let it out ; 
Lest, if they owned they favored Job's belief. 
They were in duty bound to bring relief j — 
To bring him, from their store, some kindly aid ; 
See, for his losses, reparation made ; 
Then, doubly wrong and cruel was their way, 
And they were guilty of hypocrisy. 
But since the Book does not make this appear, 
'Tis charity to hold they were sincere : 
That they believed Job erring, and their aim 
Was, to restore : — from error to reclaim , 
The third address of Eliphaz, was more 
Sharp and severe, than all he'd said before. 
Then Job replied to Eliphaz, and said, 
"Even to-day, is my complaint with dread 
And bitter filled. And though I weep and moan. 
The stroke I bear, is heavier than my groan. 
With God, you bid me, myself to acquaint. 



THE REPLY TO ELIPHAZ. 155 

'Tis my desire; burden of my complaint. 
Oh that I knew where I might find Him." Then 
Job pictured the delight, he would have, when 
In such a nearness he could bring his cause, 
Present his arguments, then, waiting, pause 
And know the answer the Most High would 

give. 
Assured he felt that not a negative, — 
A force against him would be his great power ; 
That He would strengthen him, hour after hour. 
That there the righteous ever might dispute, 
And none the verdict ever should refute. 
But, much as Job desired nearness to God, 
He found Him not, above, around, abroad ! 
Search toward the left, did no success betide, 
Upon the right completely God did hide. 
Still, consolation from this fact, Job drew : 
The way he took, the omniscient God, well knew. 
Divine assurance came, which could uphold. 
He knew, when tried, he should come forth like 

gold. 
When Job his life in light of God reviewed, 
He felt he had not swerved from rectitude. 
Xo wilful deviation had he made, 
To cause the suffering thus upon him laid. 



156 PERFECTIOX ATTAINABLE. 

He had kept God's commands. God's words, so 

good, 
To him were more than necessary food. 
But though, by thoughts like these, Job was sus- 
tained, 
His suffering was no less ; more was he pained 
That since God's words to him were very dear, 
God's way and mind toward him should be severe. 
He felt he had no power to change God's mind ; 
Knew what God's soul desired, a way he'd find 
To do. Therefore, he wished he could have died 
Before this darkness had his spirit tried. 
Job shows the way the selfish take to please 
Themselves, — to enrich their store. How they 

will seize, 
Without remorse, from widows, orphans, food ; 
E-egardless all, of aught but their own good. 
The poor must press their vine, and make their 

oil, 
While suffering thirst, and weary from their toil. 
These poor. Job sees, to groan ; their souls to cry, 
Yet visitation comes not from on high. 
He sees oppressors sin against the light, 
They care not to discriminate the right. 
And many other wrongs hold a bold front 



THE KEPLY TO ELIPHAZ. 157 

And none the living actors dare confront. 
Because in station they stand very high, 
No justice meets them till the day they die. 
Exalted while they live, and then brought low- 
Like tops of corn that healthily did grow, — 
So quick, and quiet cut, do these men die. 
Job asks for proof if he be said to lie ; 
Challenges them to make his speech appear 
As nothing worth ; then waits from them to hear. 



158 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 



CHAPTEK XXX. 

bildad's last effort. 

BiLDADj on whom reply to Job devolves, 
Evades the question, and himself absolves 
From giving answer ; not in any wise 
Does he discuss their expressed theories. 
Of Job's last question, he no notice takes, 
And brief indeed the speech is that he makes. 
Job stated facts, then asked who would appear 
And show his statements false. The way was 

clear 
And open to them. Now they might proceed 
And argue on till truth appeared indeed. 
Job had a right from Bildad to expect 
An answer to his question, made direct. 
Instead thereof, as though he had not heard, 
But, roused from meditation spoke the word 
Upon his mind — beholding discord here — 
Be verting, says, ^^ Dominion are and fear 
In His high places ; there He maketh peace, 
The number of His armies, can it cease ? 



BILDAD'S LAST EFFORT. 159 

And upon whom doth not His light arise ? 
His light that travels ceaseless through the skies. 
How then can man be justified with God? " 
A strange transition reason seems abroad. 
Is he oblivious ? Is his mind o'erthrown ? 
Beyond his depth the theme he's thought upon ? 
In foregoing sentences, 'twere hard to find 
A premise, and a consequent combined. 
Brief is his speech, contracted his reply, 
Who had complained of Job's verbosity. 
"Who, previously, had proudly boasted they 
Would speak, when Job had said all he could say. 
Now not two minutes can he speech command, 
Nor furnish ideas language may expand ! 
One might conjecture, without strain of mind, 
That in Job's speech, Bildad did somewhere find 
An illustration of himself, so made, 
That he with the low worm did seem to grade. 
And, since not natural it is to think 
That one will do from what one's self would 

shrink ; 
The charges brought by Job's three friends, may 

be 
Eeflected guilt, from which they were not free. 
Shadows they cast on their own characters ; 



160 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

And friendships pale that should seem luminous. 

Make such appear a bare and empty name, 

To which they had no title, right or claim. 

jNIarred is the beauty, and the harmony. 

That might have linked their names with memory. 

It marks, precarious, friendship's strongest boast 

When riches fail, and influence is lost. 

Err as they may. Job's three friends never cease 

To wish themselves and him with God, at peace. 

Bildad attention called to God's domain. 

His power, and fear, — the peace He will sustain 

lu His high places, thinking it God's way 

Peace to enforce, by strong and stringent sway. 

By potent power, — force absolute, — coerce 

Concord and peace, throughout the universe ! 

Not knowing that long-suffering, patient love 

Is most efficient in the realm above. 

A marvel to him thus his thinking wrought, 

That Job, ere this, was not to silence brought. 

In his confusion, Bildad thinks, may be 

That Job is silenced now. He'll pause and see. 



MIND TRIUMPHS OVEK MATTEPw 161 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

MIND TRIUMPHS OVER MATTER. 

Job, suffering as he is, with grief and pain, 

Is blest in this, — the clearness of his brain. 

This Satan's limit was ; not to dethrone 

Job's reason. Let his intellect alone. 

Now Job saw plainly Bildad's wits were out. 

He had not aimed to raise a single doubt. 

Nor made e'en slight allusion to Job's speech; — 

It evidently was beyond his reach. 

But, incoherent as a man who dreams, 

Illogical and wandering, so he seems. 

Job sees the matter simply ludicrous. 

That this is all his speech, and ended thus ! 

Though wrecked, bereft, accused, condemned, in 

pain, 
He feels of irony a lively vein. 
All Satan's power has been of no avail 
To make him curse, or ever once to fail 
To utter truth : — even in sorest grief. 
Or while friends censure — of temptations, chief. 



162 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Satan knew this, and sharply urged them on : 
Failed they his end, then his last weapon's gone. 
Now Job will show, by contrast, what will feed 
A sorrowing man, of sympathy in need : 
As thus, sarcastic, he the subject treats : 
Showing that Bildad's speech its end defeats. 
^^How hast thou helped him that is without 

power ! 
How finds in thee, the strengthless arm, a tower ! 
How hast thou counselled, how appeared as 

wise ! — 
The thing declared most fully, as it lies ! 
To whom hast thou addressed these words ? 

¥rom thee. 
Whose spirit came ? Thou must a medium be ! " 
No more of sarcasm. Bildad's speech retires, 
And higher Power the speaker's mind inspires : 
The while, discoursing, he his knowledge brings. 
Concerning God, and God-created things : 
Amply expanding on the works of God 
Seen in the heavens, and spread in earth abroad : 
His mighty power. His understanding wide. 
Who governs all, and smites the man of pride. 
Now Job, addressing wise men, makes demand, 
"Who can explain God's power? who under- 
stand?'^ 



MIND TRIUMPHS OY^U MATTER. 163 

He pauses. All are hushed. All babblings 

cease. 
" Acquaint thyself with Him, and be at peace." 
Thus Eliphaz, advising Job, had said. 
Spectators waiting, view him as the head : 
He took the lead. But, plainly. Job has showed 
He had some knowledge : knew, at least, the 

road. 
The question stated ; Job awaits reply j 
But gains no answer. Day and night pass by. 
The morning came, and none the silence broke. 
Then Job resumed. First, of their silence 

spoke. 
Or, rather, made allusion, that bespoke 
Their candid thought : but takes a higher range. 
Declares he will not his assertion change. 
True as God lives. He will not use deceit 
To make his health and happiness complete. 
Though judgment be denied, he will not say 
That he is suffering for some evil way. 
To win their favor, never will admit 
Their system may be right : — thus sanction ib. 
Asks what reward the hypocrite can gain ? 
Will he delight in God ? or when in pain. 
Call upon Him ? Conscience, in such, must make 



164 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Corroding guilt consume ; sleep they, or wake. 
And, after life, their influence will extend 
On, onward still. None may predict the end ! 
There's no inducement, he perceives, to lead 
To choice of wicked life, in word or deed. 
Having drawn this conclusion, Job's thoughts 

turn 
To earth's choice riches ; and the way to earn, — 
Or to obtain them : shows he has acquired 
Extensive knowledge, much to be desired. 
Such knowledge, man, to wealth material, 

brings ; 
Lured by the glamour of earth's transient things. 
" But where," he asks, " shall wisdom true, be 

found ? 
The place of understanding, deep and sound ? 
Were it an article produced for sale, 
On prices current, never found to fail, 
Had value mercantile, that sometimes could 
Command a premium, in market good ; 
Could it for silver, onyx stones, or gold, 
For crystals be, coral, pearls, rubies, sold ; 
Compare with Ophir's gold, or jewels fine, 
Topaz of Ethiopia's lustrous shrine ; — 
Par value with these, had true wisdom, then 



MIND TRIUMPHS OVER FLATTER. 165 

True wisdom had been prized and sought by 

men." 
Wisdom, that's precious beyond gold and gem, 
Job shows his friends, is not possessed by them. 
Of this they're conscious, as their silence shows ; 
^^ Whence comes it then? Who shall its path 

disclose ? 
God understandeth ; knows the way and place : 
Looketh the earth o'er, beneath heaven's broad 

space. 
To make weight for the winds, the waters weigh, 
Decree the rain, and mark the lightning's "plsLy. 
He, said to man, who made material things, — 
To normal action, nature's forces brings, — 
'* Behold, this wisdom is, the Lord to fear ; 
Evil to shun, is understanding clear." 
Here, Job perceives, supreme intelligence 
Was needed, to adjust, and so dispense 
Matter, that no collision should take place 
Among the countless orbs that float in space. 
Infinite wisdom, to adapt and fit 
Supply to want, and to continue it 
lu operation, as the ages roll : — 
Subject for thought, to every thinking soul. 
Here wisdom is, was stored up years ago 



1G6 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

By the Creator, All-wise, who must know 
All that man can acquire : holds, in His mind, 
Much more than seeking man can ever find. 
But wisdom comes to him on higher plane, 
Who does, of things unseen, assurance gain : 
Has, of God's presence, living consciousness ; 
Lives in His love, and lives, like Him, to bless : 
Consoled, when darkness seems to overflow ; — 
Peace in possession, whispering, "God doth 

know." 
Here Job gave pause. Could his three friends 

complain 
He lacked acquaintance, or advise again 
That he, with God, should make himself ac- 
quaint? 
They, how to criticise, to make complaint. 
To give advice, to accuse and irritate. 
Invent, conjecture, underestimate, 
Know perfectly. But could they come more 

near. 
And lead to God ? 

Unready they appear. 
They may apologise, if so they will. 
But, silent they : of same opinion still I 
Hence Job resumes, showing the train of thought 



MIND TRIUMPHS OYER MATTER. 1G7 

That, duriag pause, his mind in silence wrought. 

Thoughts of God's knowledge, — of the wind 
and rain, — 

Bring to Job's mind, his losses and his pain. 

" Oh that I were as in the months now sped, 

When God preserved me. When upon my head 

His candle shined." 

Then fully. Job reviewed 

His life entire ; his aim at rectitude : 

The gratitude and honor he received. 

How sought his judgment was, his word be- 
lieved. 

His simple name — how it brought blessings 
down ; 

His ready aid, had changed to smiles, the frown. 

He, 'mongst the people sat, as chief and king; 

Comfort, to mourners, his delight to bring. 

In honest candor this he could aver. 

Describing his official character. 

So, and still more, does Job rehearse his joy, 

And honor meeting him without alloy. 

But now so strange and sad a change he meets ! 

Misfortune's blight ! No one, with honor, greets ! 

Those younger than himself, deride and mock, 

Whose fathers, less than dogs that watch his 
flock. 



168 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Did he esteem. And men degraded too, 
Who from him then had hid, now crept to view, 
To jeer with rhymes and songs, and in his face. 
To spit ; and thus themselves and him, disgrace. 
Job felt that in himself, lay not the cause 
Of such ill-treatment by such vile outlaws. 
They who, when he had ruled, from justice fled, 
Keturned, to charge it fell on his own head. 
To intimate that he, no less had been. 
Than they, in walking in the ways of sin. 
Eorward they set his sad and mournful state. 
Sought the last news to hear, and to relate : 
And, what they hoped would come, to prophesy. 
Nor were they few ; a crowd came rushing by, 
As though the prison doors were open thrown, 
They surged, and swayed where, they would not, 

alone, 
In Job's supremacy, have dared to be. 
While now, their story's plausibility. 
United with the charges of his friends, 
Completely served their mean, ignoble ends. 
Satan, they served, of their own free accord ; 
He meant, that Job thereby should curse the 

Lord. 
The charges 'gainst his character, so brought. 



MIND TRIUMPHS OYEK MATTER. 169 

Banished, awhile. Job's sickness from his thought. 
His mind is now entirely occupied, 
With the idea that he's so belied. 
That, who should vindicate, continue still 
To hold that, for his sins, he bears all ill. 
Virtue, can not its own reward well be, 
When it's exposed to bold, cold calumny. 
The consciousness of his own virtue, made 
Job keenly sensitive to the tirade 
Of these low men whose lips were too impure 
To speak his name. Yet this he must endure. 
A mote, that hits the eye, will pain and harm 
More than a heavy blow upon the palm. 
Indifferent, he can't be that they defame ; 
To him are precious, character and name. 
Job turns his eyes upon his present state, 
And sees that dreary terrors on him wait. 
That they, as stormy wind, pursue his soul : 
Above, wild clouds, beneath him, billows roll. 
Harrassed he is, to the extremest verge. 
Powers, seen and unseen, ceaseless in their surge. 
Still he believes in God, to him he cries. 
Xo answer comes. Still, on Him, Job relies. 
He earnest calls. God does not seem to hear. 
Rising, he stands. Ko reverence brings him 
near. 



170 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

"Cruel, thou art become to me/' he cries: — 
Prayer insincere, from him, can not arise. 
He, thinking God his substance doth dissolve. 
Concludes that He doth on his death resolve. 
A lingering hope he has, that, when life's fio\^n, 
His just repute may clearly be made known. 
Though evil men for his destruction cry, 
Truth then, maij rise and solve the mystery. 
He speaks of tears, that he for others shed, 
When sorrows fell upon a mourner's head. 
Can not but grieve that when he looked for light, 
A gloom should meet him, dark, as darkest night. 
He looks upon himself ; his skin grown black ; 
His fleshless bones feverish fires attack. 
To owls and dragons, seems related more 
Than to the human form that once he wore. 
The harp, that once accompanied his voice, 
Unstrung, is mourning: — can't alone, rejoice. 
He finds no place for song. His vocal powers 
Eesound with weeping through the dreary hours. 
And now he turns from his disease and pain, 
His character to vindicate again ; 
Eegards this affirmation, probably 
As his last statement, of himself, to be. 
His deposition ; — which he now, will dare, 



MIND TRIUMPHS OVER MATTER. 171 

As on death's verge, solemnly to declare : 

When from hypocrisy could be no gain, 

When life is waning, closing out with pain. 

This stand he takes, as a memorial — 

That when his name shall be historial 

It may be proved, that one can righteous be 

And suffer evil to the last degree. 

Now,, as on oath before the God, Most-High. 

Conscious of him ; of His all-seeing eye ; 

No hope of life ; no wish death to defer ; 

Job makes his last defense of character. 

From selfish thought quite free. The thought, 

of pain 
Dismissing ; and his failure to obtain 
Erom any source, from any woe, relief ; 
Sublime he mounts above, looks down on grief ! 
Posture uneasy cannot move him now, 
Nor turn his thought, or make his spirit bow. 
He makes himself the object of his view, 
Gives his past life a candid, calm review. 
As sun, above the clouds, looks shining down. 
While earth lies drenched beneath the low 

cloud's frown ; 
So, as the sun, was his unclouded mind : 
As earth, the body that disease did bind. 



172 PERFECTION ATTAINAPLE. 

Thus mind, triumphant over matter, gains 
Ascendance, and the victory obtains. 
Conscious of God and righteousness his own, 
The charges, brought against him, one by one. 
Job takes : — those simply from conjecture 

drawn, 
The accuser thinking, possibly he'd done ; 
And, charges brought, because that, probably, 
The accuser, conscious was, of guilt to be j 
Or, of susceptibility aware, 
To sin, if in his path lay such a snare. 
Charges by those who came o'er him to gloat. 
And every charge they heard, to set afloat. 
And retail, piecemeal, wholesale slanders heard ; 
Dwelling minutely on the most absurd ; 
With their additions, and their private views. 
That nothing might be lost in passing news. 
All which the malice or sagacity 
Of Satan could concoct or cause to be 
Suggested and infused into the minds 
Of friends and foes. These charges, all. Job 

finds 
And holds them up, proceeding to deny, 
And self defend from all their calumny. 
Having already, as a magistrate, 



MIXD TRIUMPHS OVER MATTER. 173 

His character defended, he will state 

His private life, and lay his motives bare 

To their inspection : freely give them air. 

The first charge, he, with emphasis, denies. 

From such a life, no blessing could arise ; 

It had no sanction by the living God : 

Without inheritance, without reward. 

Such, to destruction and strange punishment, 

Are travelling on to meet self-banishment. 

Such course of life, the Most High God would 

see. 
Whose approbation felt, was more than the 
Opinion mortal man might hold ; and though 
They failed to see him pure, God knew him so. 
Deceit and vanity, he next denies : 
Would, that an even balance might arise. 
His motives and his conduct so to weigh. 
That God might know of his integrity. 
Thus, calling God to witness, — who must know, 
Confirms his statements, as by oath to show. 
With equal candor, straightway Job proceeds. 
Guilt to deny concerning sensual deeds. 
If to such wrong his life has testified, 
He dares invoke still more of sorrow's tide. 
Even the alienation of his wife, 



174 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

The joy and partner of his happy life. 
He recognises that this heinous crime 
Has its desert ; its punishment in time. 
Then passes on, as pure, to vindicate 
Himself, as master of his home estate. 
No one, of all who served him in his house. 
Had sought, in vain, his sympathy to rouse. 
Each servant knew he would defend the right. 
Nor let the weak be overcome by might. 
The law, impressed upon the human mind, 
He used, himself and his whole house, to bind. 
The golden rule, which is so aptly known. 
Bidding each make the other's case, his own. 
This was Job's regulator in his life. 
This ended tumults, feuds, and household strife. 
It had been charged that he oppressed the poor, 
Widow and orphan had turned from his door. 
Instead of which, they'd been peculiar charge, 
Favors on whom, he did delight to enlarge. 
Which, to affirm. Job, vengeance dares to call : 
If this be false, let from its socket fall 
His arm ; — be broken from its bone. Because 
He felt, how right the terror of God's laws. 
That God would have the right him to destroy, 
Failed he, of right, to one in his employ. 



MIND TRIUMPHS OVER MATTER. 175 

Next; he denies idolatry of gold : — 

Exulting, on account of wealth, untold. 

Also, idolatry of sun and moon. 

JSTot morning's beams, nor sunset's hues, nor 

noon. 
When in high majesty it stood as king. 
Had found his heart the sun as worshipping. 
Nor, when the paler lunar power had sailed 
Softly through floating clouds, and partly veiled ; 
Though, at such times his mouth had kissed his 

hand. 
And waved it high, yet did his heart expand 
To higher Light, and reverent worship bring 
To God, the Lord, his Sovereign and his King. 
Or, otherwise, he would the Lord deny, 
And merit judgment for idolatry. 
With such self -searching, did Job analyze 
His character, and fully he denies 
The accusations which he has reviewed ; 
Before himself and God, acquitted stood. 
Still Job enlarges on his hopes and fears, 
And his experiences of former years. 
Then, weary with rehearsal, sadly sighs, 
That the Almighty would but make replies : 
His adversary cause a written book 



176 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Of accusations, wherein all might look, 

To be produced. He would, that book put down, 

Take up and wear — a diadem and crown. 

Sure, in a princely way, he could maintain 

His own defence ; and royal honor gain. 

(This, in parenthesis, by pain borne down ; 

And every face a sneer, or scoff, or frown.) 

But suddenly occurs another charge. 

His borders, never sought he to enlarge — 

More' land to gain, by measures false or wrong ; 

If he had eaten fruit thereof, and long 

Unpaid the laborer ; or, had failed to pay ; 

Had fraudulently dealt in any way ; 

Called he for thistles, and for cockles' growth. 

Where wheat and barley grew in beauty, both. 

No more had he to say, but to append. 

That, simply, here the words of Job have end. 



A NEW SPEAKER. 177 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

A NEW SPEAKER. 

To Zophar, now, all look for his reply. 
Profoundly silent pass the moments by. 
Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar, — all are mute. 
Who shall explain why they no more dispute ? 
Had stubborness a mingling in the cause ? 
Does self-complacence, thus produce a pause ? 
Does ground, once taken, pride forbid to yield ? — 
Sure that, being prosperous, they can hold the 

field? 
Since pain proves guilt, clearly, they're not in 

sin, — 
They've won the victory ! Those may laugh, 

who win. 
Accounts this for the silence they maintain ? 
Or, has Job's argument seemed right and plain, 
And they are silenced since they can't refute ? — 
For lack of courage to admit, keep mute. 
Or, are they horrified that Job should dare 
Invoke more evil than he now does bear ? 



178 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Amazed, that he, with all his woes and pain, 
Still, boldl}^, dare his righteousness maintain ? 
Hence, silent wait, expecting there will fall 
Some stroke of vengeance, that will Job appal. 
There was another who was waiting, too : 
And had been waiting, many speeches through. 
And he was young, ruddy, perchance, withal ; 
With buoyant spirits, coming without call. 
He looked at Job, when Job the speaker was, 
And at Job's friends, when they maintained their 

cause. 
Seemed it to him, when bridling hard his tongue, 
A serious disatvantage to be young. 
Doubtless, from Job, he wisdom had received ; 
Been told to trust in God, nor be deceived 
By what one man, or many men, might say ; 
!N"or loving service ever fail to pay : 
Always, and everywhere, defend His cause ; 
Stand in His fear, and keep His righteous laws : 
The truth to vindicate, in all he said. 
Then stand erect, God's blessing on his head. 
Long time, this youth, had longed to take a part. 
His plethoric brain, and overburdened heart. 
Could scarce sustain the weight of such a load ; 
But age demanded, he must yield the road. 



A NEW SPEAKER. 179 

The barrier ceases now. They pause. And he 
May speak, without offense to courtesy. 
Rising, with swelling chest, and glowing eyes, 
With ardent zeal that all defeat defies. 
With fijin belief in God as wise and good, — 
In His complete and perfect rectitude ; 
Because that Job himself had justified 
Eather than God, this young man did decide 
That he was right indignant Job to view ; 
Hence, kindred was, the wrath of Elihu. 
For if, indeed, Job was entirely right, 
Then God was wrong ! No reverence could incite 
Worshipful love, to one dispensing wrong — 
In whom, all confidence, could not belong. 
God, if not worthy of implicit trust. 
It were impossible, though told he must. 
To love and serve. Eobbed of his God, was he ! 
Hence 'twas, that Elihu indignantly 
Addressed himselP to Job. All Job had said 
About himself, — the righteous life he'd led, — 
Doubtless, as truth, by Elihu was received. 
Eor he, the next to God, in Job believed. 
No counter-evidence had been adduced, 
None even circumstantially produced ; 
And yet, his three friends still persisted, in 



180 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE, 

Accusing him of wilful, perverse sin. 
And this, the wrath of Elihu, inflamed ; 
That, without proof they, constantly, Job blamed : 
Charged him as though they positively knew 
The crimes they charged him with^ were wit- 
nessed to. 
With modest prelude, Elihu began, 
As giving vent, his words most freely ran. 
'^ I'm young," he said, "and ye are very old, 
I, my opinion, therefor^ did withhold, 
I stood in fear, my thoughts, to you to show, 
Thinking, within myself, that ye must know, 
I said that days should speak, and multitude 
Of years teach wisdom." Now the magnitude 
Of his anticipations, brought rebound, 
Equaled by him in disappointment found. 
But he a quite important truth descries^ --= 
One may be aged, without being wise ; 
Also, that there a spirit is, in man, 
Inspirable, and that the Almighty can 
By inspiration, understanding give ; 
Depending not on length of days, men live, 
But on a willingness to know the truth : 
Nor age, is more inspirable than youth. 
Therefore, great men are neither atways wise, 



A NEW SPEAJvER. 181 

Nor, in the aged, understanding lies. 

"Wherefore, for this," continued Elihu, 

" I said, hear me, and let me give my view," 

(The speaker changes straight from person third, 

To person first, in what was said and heard : 

Giving a sure and quite conclusive look. 

That Elihu, author was, of Job, the book.) 

"For take you note," he adds, "I gave due heed. 

Watching your reasons as you did proceed. 

I waited for your words, in your delay. 

While ye were searching out what ye should say. 

Earnest attention gave I you. Behold, 

None of you Job convinced, though ye are old. 

Lest ye should say, "we wisdom have found 

out; 
God thrusts him down, not man; without a 

doubt. 
Job still stands upright in integrity. 
Ye have not crushed him in the least degree. 
Now Job hath not addressed himself to me, 
Nor, with your speeches, since I disagree 
Therewith, will I make answer unto him." 
At this point there appears an interim 
In the narration, to describe the three 
That Elihu reproves, — though young is he. 



182 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

And evidence appears witli clearer look 

That he — the speaker — wrote of Job, the book. 

Por, here digressing, he makes special note 

Of the amazement that the three friends smote. 

After the prologue, it appears, he paused : 

Gave opportunity, if he had caused 

Desire in them to alter, or explain ; 

To contradict, retract, or, to again 

Eehearse their views. "But they answered no 

more. 
They left off speaking : silent as before. 
They spake not, but stood still : nor answered 

they. 
" I said, I also, answer will, my part : 
And my opinion show.'^ 

With head and heart 
Attuned, directly he proceeds, to tell 
How, while they spake, ideas in him did swell ; 
How hard it was their utterance to suppress. 
That now, the spirit him constrains, to express 
What then had well-nigh burst the bounds of 

flesh. 
That he will, gladly, giving vent, refresh 
Himself by speaking what he has in mind, — 
To neither party partially inclined : — 



A NEW SPEAKER. 18c> 

Not flattering, nor with undue reverence, 
Accepting one, at other one's expense. 
Nor one, nor other party will he fear ; 
But, as in fear of Go J, make truth appear 
As he beholds it. 

Then, the prologue ends, 
And he, at first, himself to Job commends : 
From the uprightness of his heart, he claims 
To speak ; — Best basis, this, for earnest aims. 

He recognizes first, his origin 
Direct from God : — His Spirit's, breathing-in : 
His life was in God's breath. Since Job desired 
A daysman, like himself, in flesh attired, 
He, as from God, would come at Job's command : 
Bids Job to answer ; calls on him to stand 
And set in order v>^hat he has to say. 
Claims he's Job's wish : like Job, is made o£ 

clay. 
Job had desired that he might God address 
As he would man, with freedom none the less. 
Now Elihu proposed to take the place, 
And all the arguments of Job to face : 
For he, to God, in spirit was allied. 
Job might approach him, all unterrified. 
Since he, like him was also formed of clay, 



184 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Nor would a heavy hand upon him lay. 
Then Elihu rehearsed what Job had said ; — 
As best appears, when, in the text it's read : — 
Wherefore Job had complained that, as His foe, 
God held him, searching ill of him to know. 
Now Elihu claimed, herein. Job was not right : 
God had His reasons, though not plain to sight : 
Not of His matters He, to any man 
Doth give account, nor open out His plan. 
Why, he enquires, against God doth Job strive ? 
Thus losing knowledge that he might derive. 
He speaks of dreams 5 — God's method, in that 

day. 
Of making known what He to man would say. 
As he proceeds, his words appear to imply. 
Job may have wrought, in time that has gone by. 
Not error merely, but some sinful deed, 
Prom which, his sufferings do, of course, proceed. 
Of which, will he but make acknowledgment. 
His soul shall be redeemed from banishment. 
This intimation, Job can scarce withstand j 
He moves to speak, but Elihu waves his hand. 
" Mark well, Job, and hearken unto me. 
Hold thou thy peace, and I will speak." 

Here he 



A NEW SPEAKER. 185 

Relents, and bids Job, has be anything 
To say, to answer : speak. He would not bring 
Harsh charge 'gainst Job : he'd rather justify. 
lie paused awhile, that Job might give reply. 
Job bore in silence. Perfect self-control 
He held : — patient possession of his soul. 
"While Elihu paused, deep sympathies awoke 
In him for Job : nor Job the silence broke. 
Then Elihu said (since Job refrained from 

speech), 
If thou speak not, then thee, I'll wisdom teach. 
Whether, or not, he thcught to make amends. 
From Job he turned, and addressed Job's three 

friends. 
^•' Hear ye my words, wise men, and give ear 
Ye that have knowledge. For the words we hear, 
Trieth the ear, as the mouth tasteth meat ; 
And it decides upon a mental treat." 
Earnest attention he would fain awake. 
Because their knowledge and experience, make 
Them qualified to sanction and declare 
If his deductions are not right and fair. 
The object prime, being for themselves to judge 
Job, by the speech in which he did indulge, — 
His sad condition taken into account, — 



186 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

That to true good their knowledge might amount. 
Job had grown less, in Elihu's esteem, 
As a wise teacher, could no longer seem. 
Now he rehearsed what cited oft has been, — 
Job's firm belief that punishment for sin 
Was not his due ; and, that God was severe. 
He asked, " Bid ever man like Job appear ? '^ 
" Try to convict, and bring him to confess ; 
The next you know, your speech is emptiness. 
Sick as he is, he takes up your replies, 
As draught of water, thirsty man supplies. 
He ranks with wicked men, who walk abroad. 
Because he says, a man, by serving God, 
Keceives no profit. Therefore, hear to me. 
Ye men of understanding. Let it be 
Far from God that He should do wickedly ; 
The Almighty to commit iniquity ! 
What man shall earn, that Ho to him will pay ; 
Each man shall find, according to his way. 
Yea, surely, wickedly God will not do." 

With how much pity must the Most-High view 
These erring men, who labor to explain 
Truth, that to them one day shall be made plain. 
Yet pity they need less, who, reasoning, err ; 
Than those who ask not, of God's character. 



A NEW SPEAKER. 187 

Kow Elihu is grieved, that Job should be 
Bereft, and compassed by infirmitj, 
Yet say that God has not in justice dealt; 
That not his sins have caused the woe he's felt. 
That he should bear such punishment, yet cry 
If guilt he'should admit, his lips would lie ! 
In substance, Elihu says, " Who ever knew 
A man down sick, and suffering through and 

through. 
Bereft of children, servants,— all, true friends, — 
And all his property ; which comprehends 
His substance all ; yet still persist to say 
He has not deviated from the way 
Of rectitude ? — nor even will allow 
That God is dealing justly with him now !'^ 
Hence, he desires Job's trial may proceed 
Till Job, and wicked men, in very deed 
May have no answer, to those who declare, 
" God's way with Job is just, and right, and 

fair." 
He claims that Job, rebellion adds to sin : 
That multiplied too oft, his words have been. 
As advocate for Job, Elihu began. 
Were he in Job's place, would he know his man ? 
But Job had now attained the highest power ; 



188 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Summit and dome of the triumphant hour. 
Suffering no less, but having learned to ] ide 
Upon oppression's overwhelming tide ; — 
Like to a skiff upon a surging wave, 
"Was he buoyed up : and those who strove to 

save — 
Like his three friends, and the young Elihu, 
Were like the surge, felt, but beneath him, too. 
Accused without, but unaccused within. 
Job waited, uncomplaining ; while of sin, 
Iv-enewedly, his would-be-daysman, stands, 
And charges Job, because he's in God's hands : — 
In the arena, it not being known 
Satan has made attack upon God's throne ; 
Having this world the field for his display. 
To show his principles ; — his chosen way : 
And this first thesis w^ould as base secure ; 
None will serve God, unless the pay is sure. 

Now God proves Satan false, his words a lie ; 
By means which, Satan chose to justify 
His words and deeds. Heaven sees, in suffering 

Job, 
The man distinguished most upon earth's globe ! 
Who, to the universe, makes God's word sure, 
Por which, he, to the end, must needs endure. 



A NEW SPEAKER. 189 

Job knew that Elihu argued, to defend 
Almighty God : and, only for this end 
Bore down on him. No less did Job desire 
Concerning God : yet must, His cause enquire. 
The old told creed, was quite worn out with him, 
That suffering was indicative of sin. 
The case he saw in a far different light, 
Which put the once-held theory to flight. 
While to put suffering on a virtuous one, 
Placed virtue at a discount : put upon 
Vice a premium ! Thus it seemed to be. 
And this, to him, was unsolved mystery. 
But, finding what bewilderment was brought 
By his denial ; what excitement wrought ; 
And what confusion, agitation, fear, — 
Which may toward doubt in God Himself, 

verge near ; — 
He, having shown how things appear to him. 
Though thoughts well up, and answers reach the 

brim. 
Dare not relieve himself by farther vent. 
But holds within, his thoughts inclosed, all pent. 
The while, pent up, his speculations bring 
A scries of connected wondering : 
Such as, does God precisely know or care 



190 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

To note each, small event — minute affair ? 

Every and all, so that, on all the earth, 

Naught that transpires, to Him is nothing 
worth ? 

And, if He knows and cares for each and all. 

Can He design, and everything forestall, 

So that frustration never, nor surprise 

Shall thwart his plans ? Whether God were 
a^^-wise. 

And, if all-knowledge, and all-wisdom, were 

Inherent qualities of character, — 

He, needing not experiment, to know ; 

Nor, testing man, of man could wiser grow, — 

Were he potential in ability, 

And matchless power, held, in authority ? 

Or, was there not an unseen hostile foe, 

Invisible to man, and working woe ; 

Which power God would^ but could not, circum- 
scribe ; 

Could not control, would not descend to bribe ? 

Perchance, he reasoned, either God don't know 

Of my uprightness, and apalling woe ; 

Or, knowing, does not heed my cry and case ; 

Or, some malicious foe dares to efface 

His plans and purpose ; whom God can't control \ 



A NEW SPKAKKR. 191 

Or, God does choose, to afflict a lightecus soul. 
The last of which, to think, vras to deny ; 
Judged by himself, who would not willingly 
Evil for good admin^'sler. This left 
Conclusion that God is of one bereft ; — 
Knowledge or power. Thus, to himself, explain 
His great calamities, and trying pain. 
Early, these great calamities Job found, 
Serene in mind, with fortitude profound. 
He, with majestic patience, calmly bore 
All, till his friends accused him, o'er and o'er, 
Of bringing on himself his misery. 
This, truth required, that he at once deny. 
During which contest he, sometimes, was drawn 
Into the utterance of what, upon 
Eeflection he, reviewing, disapproved ; — 
Though not by wickedness to speaking moved. 
Vv'hile any effort, now to explain, might tend 
To lead them farther to misapprehend. 
But Elihu, who had deeply been impressed, 
Seeing that Job did not make manifest 
A disposition to retract, perceived 
That he must argue what himself believed. 
Ho feels a pity for Job's deep distress. 
And thinks it cannot possibly be less 



192 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

While Job continues his defensive ground ; 
Therefore resolves a problem, to propound, 
Answer to which, the friends shall comprehend, 
As right and just, and thus the matter end. 
^' Look to the heavens," he said. Doubtless up- 
rolled 
Incipient tempest. "There the clouds behold. 
Higher than thou ; but how much higher He 
'Gainst whom thou sinnest ! Yet, although by 

thee 
Be multiplied transgression, what the less 
Has He ? or, more, if thou work righteousness ? 
Thy wickedness may hurt a man like thee, 
Thy righteousness, to him, may profit be. 
But what to God ? 

No doubt Job gave due heed. 
Answering, in mind, as Elihu did proceed. 
Interrogating too, — only in mind, — 
To silence, wisely, being still inclined. 
And Job, no doubt, his answer did define 
More clear than Elihu's question did outline. 
" Against Him what do I, if I do sin. 
Or give to Him, if righteousness, I win ? " 
Thus Job replies, "If right, I give Him joy 
Of me approving : — I, in His employ. 



A KEW SPEAKER. 



193 



And the delight of seeing that His thought 
Is followed out and to i^erfection brought : 
That in myself His ideal — His design, 
Is realized. He, therefore, with benign 
Complacence, may behold the work of His own 

hands, 
Meeting the standard He, of right, demands; 
'Tis this, if righteous, I to Him do give, 
From w^hom alone derives the life I live. 
His bliss that 's absolute, no more can I 
Affect; than mote, the sun that shines on high. 
Yet, shines the sun on a translucent gem, 
The rays, reflecting, carry back in them 
A radiance, that were never known and seen. 
Did only opaque object meet the beam. 
And is it naught to God, if this I give. 
Himself reflected, who, in me, doth live ? 
Or, if I sin against Him, then I give 
So much the less, than did I rightly live : 
I should ignore, the debt to Him I owe 
Por life, and all the joys that from it flow : 
Give Him the pain displeasure must needs bring, 
The lack of joy. He'd have, in witnessing 
My life, if spent in a true, righteous way ; 
All I should owe, yet fail my debt to pay." 



194 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Some such reply, in Job's mind must have 

wrought, 
While he, in silence, busy was with thought. 
But, since he chose his silence to maintain, 
Elihu, with hope to make the matter plain, 
Continued. All enthusiastic, he, 
That God appear from all injustice free. 
But his endeavors move not Job to speech, 
And none confess that his words wisdom teach. 
More tender he, of Job, than Job's three friends ; 
And Job, against hypocrisy, defends. 
Yet error blends with truth, while he would fain 
Recover Job, and God as right maintain. 
Digression now, in Elihu's mind, is wrought. 
Minute affairs, he notes, are in God's thought ! 
The misty water-drops he maketh fall. 
The dropping clouds, distil, abundant all. 
" Can any understand the spreading cloud, 
His tabernacle's noise, that soundeth loud ? " 
A storm approaching, all his thought employs, 
The dashing rain, the thunder's fearful noise. 
The flood-like streams, descending to the sea, 
Like sea-roots, seem, rooted in sky to be. 
He comments on the effect such storms produce. 
The increasing storm makes language hard to 

use. 



A XEW SPEAKER. 195 

Black clouds and dense, rush wild with mighty 

roar, 
Whirring, with vapor mixed ; awe-struck, before 
Which, men and cattle, mute, aghast with fear, 
Alike are silent : and, now still more drear ; 
The vivid light departs. The sombre clouds. 
The day, have wrapped and draped in gloom and 

shrouds. 
The rattling thunder, peal repeats on peal. 
Quick, on the lightning serpentine to steal 
With sudden burst, and prolonged echoing tone, 
Blending with whistling wind's incessant moan. 
Awhile all mute remain : then Elihu 
Owns to heart-trembling. Agitation too 
Betrays itself, as speaking, he proceeds. 
But he takes note that Job the storm scarce 

heeds. 
Observes him pacing slow, with thought intent, 
As, ere the storm, he had the slow hours spent. 
He bids him hear attentively the sound, — 
Kor is Job listless to the peal profound : — 
That God directs it, and the lightning too, 
Elihu states. Kor Job takes other view ; 
But silent is, and, still not satisfied. 
Elihu dwells on the storm, — still terrified; 



196 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

The lightniDg's flash, the thunder, wakening fear, 

Exciting awe, suggesting very near 

A Majesty Divine. He talks of rain, 

The whirlwind, snow, cold, frost, clouds; and, 
again 

Quiet restored, by warm south wind, so bland. 

'^Hearken, Job," he begs, and bids him stand: 

" Stand still and see the wondrous works of 
God." 

He cannot concentrate his thoughts. Abroad 

They range, to Him who works ; and, swift, de- 
scend J 

Awhile upon material forces bend 

Without arrangement ; wandering, as the storm 

Itself attracts by ever-varying form. 

He notes the working of the elements ; 

Quick turns to the Disposer of events. 

"Did He at first arrange the electric course? 

Ordain the execution of its force ? 

Does every lightning's stroke, His programme 
meet; 

Perform, what will His first design complete ? 

Or, did He leave some things in a loose way. 

To mete them out as they occur each day ? 

Ordained He all life from the very first, — 



A XEW SPEAKER. 197 

Had each in mind ? " 

If Elihu thus rehearsed 
What must have be^n, he must liave seen, the 

worst 
That could each one befall, God must have 

known ; 
And made arrangement for all who would own 
His guidance ; and, for those who would deflect. 
iSTot else, could He, His system first perfect. 
Elihu asks Job, how the clouds, balanced are ; 
But feels the answer is from Job afar. 
Unless he with the Maker were, on high, 
"When, as a mirror. He spread out the sky. 
ISTow feels he his own inability : 
A shadowy darliness veils him mentally. 
Asks what to say ! 

The ready volunteer 
To stand for God, is hushed with trembling fear. 
He'll champion stand for God who rules on high. 
But if, in majesty, he feels Him nigh. 
Lest he be swallowed up, he dares not speak. 
And now, than Job, he finds himself more weak. 
Confesses humbly, " The Almight}^, we 
Cannot find out. Most excellent is He. 
In power, in judgment, He is plenty too." 



198 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Abruptly ; closes thus, brave Elihu ! 
Silent, with Job, he waits in wondering fear, 
Nor knows the voice of God, he soon shall hear. 
Just reached, the point, where wisdom doth begin ; 
Fear opes the gate to let more wisdom in. 



TRUTH TRIUMPHANT. 199 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

TRUTH TRIUMPHANT. 

Sublimely silent now, awe-hushed, and still 
Were all ; while led by mind, or heart, or will, 
To self-communion ; or, to that more high. 
Led by the unseen Spirit, ever nigh. 
The lightning's flash, now dim and distant shone. 
The thunder's peal, majestic still in tone. 
Was tardy in responding to the gleam 
Electric. Muttering, without pause, its theme. 
In one continuous, ponderous, sounding roar. 

The clouds break white, and luminous, and o'er 

All nature, shed a clear, pellucid light, 

Eoreteiling power to banish darkest night. 

The mighty whirlwind dissipates the cloud. 

A voice, distinct, deep-toned, and clear and loud 

And unmistakable, is heard abroad. 

Give ear : it is the answer of the Lord ! 

He speaks. Let earth and all its voices hush : 

The pallid clouds their roarings cease, and blush. 

He answered Job. When silent were all men, 



200 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

And waiting all ; — it was the Lord's time then. 

No students are in better readiness 

Solution to receive, than who confess 

To solve the problem they have vainly tried, 

And with themselves can not be satisfied. 

He who has sought, found not, but sought in vain, 

Will glad receive truth's light, and best retain : 

Will willing be, as shall God's people all, — 

In God's day of great power, when truth shall fall, 

And lodgment find : — gladly go forth to meet 

Dew-decked and beautiful. His truth to greet. 

God's plots are perfect. Who'll presume to say 

Which means, which end ; which wait, and which 

withstay ? 
Truth for those waiting, or they for the light ? 
God's adaptations are complete and right. 
Silently waiting, speaking none attempt ; 
Vanquished, but not by any argument : 
Then spake the Lord ; and it is strangely true, 
His reasoning takes the track of Elihu. 
" Who, this that darkeneth counsel ? " He in- 
quired, 
^^ By words that knowledge lack ? " (In Elihu, 

inspired ; 
As is all language, and all thought, that's true. 



TRUTH TRIUMPHANT. 201 

God's inspiration, brought to human view). 

Nowise intimidated does Joli seem. 

Anticipating, he may be, a gleam 

Of light : may think that God has heard his 
prayer, 

And now, will manifest His presence, where 

He may be found. And why He does contend 

Will now explain, and own Job is His friend. 
Scripture hints not that J ob felt slightest fear 

When the Lord's voice he heard pronouncing 
near. 

Like Adam, conscience-stricken, he was not ; 

Had naught to hide: God's voice was what he 
sought. 
The Lord accused ; but not of crime, or guilt : 

Simply, his counsel was unwisely built. 

For lack of knowledge, he did, reasoning, err ; 

Lacking true theses ; falsely did infer. 

Hence, Job it was, who counsel had obscured, 

By words that knowledge never had assured. 

So Elihu complained, in time gone by, 

"Words, without knowledge, Job doth mul- 
tiply.'^ 

Not that God's perfect wisdom, he'd attained. 

When he, of Job and his three friends, com- 
plained. 



202 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

But it appears, that when a man arrives 
At truth's concretest form, the harmonies 
Between his own and God's mind, do compare, 
And, in due time, God will the fact declare. 

The Lord continues. Job, attent, gives ear. 
Does He bid Job, " Bow down : " or, to appear 
In reverential posture ? No : but " Gird 
Up now thy loins like a man." Kot a word 
Implying cringing. 'Tis the Lord's delight 
That man in mind and heart should be upright : 
Nor calls for other attitude : yet all. 
Being Spirit-prompted, may, before Him, fall. 
For posture should derive from deep within, 
Or, tainted with hypocrisy, 'tis sin. 
Job, in his suffering and distress, had prayed, 
" Withdraw Thy hand, and make me not afraid. 
By dread. Then call, and I will answer thee. 
Or, let me speak, and then Thou answer me." 
He felt, what charge against him might be 

brought. 
That he could answer as the righteous ought : 
Or, if the judge preferred to interrogate, 
Give fair reply to questions He might state. 
Jehovah now accedes. He will demand ; 
And Job in place of answerer shall stand. 



TRUTH TRIUMPHANT. 203 

Job probably expects question direct 

On some specific subject, to effect 

An explanation of his suffering. 

Instead of which, this leads the questioning : — 

Heard through the whirlwind, coming from the 

cloud, 
Majestic, thought-inciting, low and loud ; — 
" When the foundations of the earth I laid ^ 
Where wert thou ? ^' Hushed, Job listens, un- 
afraid. 
" Declare if thou hast understanding.'^ Now 
Job has a theme ; and he may stand, or bow : 
Suit his position to his frame of mind. 
The Lord can wait till Job can answer find. 
While Job has pause, we will consider, too, 
The starting-point God calls attention to. 
Solve we the problem of man's destiny, 
Man's origin, the first necessity. 
This, the foundation is, the starting-point ; 
Base this aright, and logic finds true joint. 
With Job, this is a subject new, for thought : 
Theme unconsidered, full of interest fraught. 
The Mightiest hurries not. Job thinks, to know. 
The mills of God grind fine, but very slow : 
Amply He time supplies ; and patient, waits. 



204 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

God's thought strikes light: thus helped, Job 

meditates. 
Had God's inquiry, by some man, been brought, 
It would have been dismissed with little thought. 
Job might have said, " I nowhere was, of course." 
And thought the question had but little force. 
He'd volunteered to give to God, reply ; 
iSTor, the first question, might pass lightly by. 
Asked by the Maker of the universe, 
Job must elaborate, or brief, rehearse. 
Eeflecting thereupon, he must have thought, 
" Where ivas I ? Somewhere ? anywhere ? or, 

not? 
1 could not have existed. For my mind 
Can, in that past, no recollection find. 
Yet, notwithstanding, might my mind have birth 
Before were laid foundations of the earth : 
Since surely, I had life, one year — or more. 
Before my memory treasured any store. 
And who can live a year, nor recognize 
That life ; may, also, ere the earth did rise 
From its foundation, have existed. Then 
The lack of memory, argues not that men 
Had not existence ere the earth began, — 
They, comprehended, in God's wondrous plan, 






TRUTH TRIUMPHANT. 205 

When the type-system of the earth He drew.— 
Kedemption, the event He had in view. 
Memory may be dispensed with then, to show. 
What, for some cause, 'tis best to learn to know. 
Job might have reasoned farther, had he known 
The purpose he was answering near God's throne ; 
The system of God's universe, what did 
Com.prise. But which, from him, must needs be 

hid. 
Job, reasoning thus respecting memory, 
Proceeds. '' Not only might, my being, be j 
I even must, of a necessity 
Have then existed: or, objectively 
Endued with conscious power to will, to be ; 
To think and know, experience sentiently ; 
Or, as subjective, in God's thought, prepend; 
To whom, existence conscious, he would lend, 
When, in the fit time, in my orbit. He 
Should set me forth ; — as from eternity 
He had ordained, who, as a whole, doth view 
And, all things, comprehend. To whom, nor new 
Nor old is ; but one grand and vast sublime. 
And this mosaic, now being wrought in time, 
Foreseen, foreknown, foreplanned, and foreor- 
dained, 



206 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Ere first objective atom self attained." 

Naught has transpired, since time began to 
be, 
That God did not, from all eternity, 
Foreknow as certain in time to take place : 
And fix for each event a time and space; 
So that the evil to be wrought, should be — 
(The evil, sure, not a necessity 
Upon His system ; but as sure to rise. 
As free-born agents, birthright, might despise.) 
Assigned its place, — arranged its destiny ; — 
As on the organ's key-board, is each key, 
Which sends, responsive to the touch, its sound; 
There, in its own place, always to be found. 
And every discord which, untuned, would break 
The harmony ; complete the chord shall make ; 
And so produce, combined, a minor strain, 
To swell the major chorus, when again 
Loud hallelujahs shall, from all arise, 
"Who fill the many mansions of the skies. 
Did discord know itself, it pain must be 
To dwell forever in discordant key : 
But blending with the whole, there worketh 
praise 



TRUTH TRIUMPHANT. 207 

To Him who glorious harmony can raise . 

The wrath of man, and discords, make to chime 

With richest music in the realm sublime. 

Job, in his musing whether he had birth 
Before were laid foundations of the earth ; 
Whether he were, as individual, 
Then conscious self, and free to stand or fall ; 
Whether a spirit-life he then did know. 
Or slept in mind of God, in embryo ; — 
" I may have had a past," he might have thought, 
" And in that past, perchance, the answer sought. 
To the deep problem, may indeed be found. 
Which oft, my sons discussed, with reasoning 

sound : 
Which made me stand in fear and profound awe. 
Lest some conclusion, that they must needs 

draw — 
Eeasoning from seen to unseen, — might bring 

down 
Some visitation of their Maker's frown. 
If there, I had free choice, and did refuse. 
The life ordained for me, myself to choose ; 
If there, as here, refused I to submit 
Till I knew better why, than God saw fit 
In wisdom to reveal ; then it may be ^ 



208 PERFECTION ATTAJNABLE. 

A new probation he has granted me : 

Nor for rebellion would annihilate, 

But built the earth, in a symbolic state. 

With things that perish ; so to typify 

The higher life, that was not meant to die : 

Sin's wages show ; and, by antithesis, 

The way of life, peace, glory, joy, — true bliss. 

A new minority has granted man 

To practise free powers, by a mundane plan. 

And, by experience, here on earth attain — 

Arriving home, in heaven, — a higher plane 

'Tis possible 'tis so. Man, like a tree 

Cut dowD, may live again, live consciously." 

Job may have reasoned thus, until he drew 
As of life past, an almost confirmed view 
Of life to come ; which, shadowy though, and 

dim, 
Was consolation, and a hope to him. 
And, tracing on, reasoned, without a doubt, 
That even he, himself, was not left out 
In the computing of the wondrous whole : — 
That there was worth, in every human soul. 
Ensuring him, ere founding of the earth, 
A time and place : and then, ordained his birth. 
What time his life upon earth should begin 



TRUTH TRIUMPHANT. 209 

On conscious plane, when he might lose or win 
Eternal life : if he hear not, or heed 
The monitor within : — " Let not self lead 
To selfishness : for life they do but lose. 
Who seek to save it, selfishly to use.'^ 

Even so early, in earth's peopling, may 
Some gleam of light, have heralded truth's day. 

Divinely questioned, Job, we still behold. 
Sublimely calm God's thoughts, in words unfold. 
Above his ills Job rises high, to find 
Not bread alone sustains. Man lives in mind. 
Led by Divine inquiry, Job was taught, — 
So guided, was to full assurance brought, — 
That the whole earth, and every event 
Transpired, or to transpire ; each incident, 
Each so-called accident ; with each and all 
Comprising God's creation, great and small, 
Were all embraced by the unerring Mind : 
Computed, balanced, as it were, to find 
What, of creation, would be the expense ; 
AVhat must needs be, with what he might dispense 
Of things unseen, in types of things on earth. 
Yet true ideal they, who should have birth 
Thereon, might well conceive: till they should know 
Eye hath not seen, nor ear had heard, nor glow 
Entered the heart, of jojs to be bestowed, 



210 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

When the fiv^e gates no longer hold the road: — 
When, flesh dissolved, new avenues, shall find 
To high delights, the ever-opening mind. 
So God adapted all material things, 
And to the mind of Job this knowledge brings ; 
That he did not employ machinery 
Not knowing what result would surely be ; 
Nor leave earth to chance-fate as engineer. 
On seasons great, himself, but to appear. 
But that the All-wise Architect-Divine, 
In His conception, plan, scheme and design. 
Exceeded, in His knowledge accurate. 
Human artificer's best estimate, — 
Who would for all emergencies provide, 
And, first of all, wisely, the cost decide ; — 
As infinite, does finiteness, exceed 
In thought, conception, word, design and deed. 
Earth has foundations : held as sockets sink. 
"Who laid the measures?" Job is called to 

think. 
Whereupon, stand its firm foundatioDS fast. 
The corner stone, who laid, in ages past ? 
Who, impulse gave, revolving nebula. 
When inspiration sped from star to star ? 
And all the mornivg stars together sang, 



TRUTH TRIUMPHANT. 211 

And sons of God, for joij, the chorus rang. 
(Whicli proves God's choice, — his first, thus 

best, design. 
Was sentient being in celestial line.) 
The sons of God are first brought forth, to see 
Creation's work and love the harmony. 
These, with their Maker, sympathy maintained ; 
Enjoyed the life divine for them ordained. 
Not on this earth was spirit-life begun ; 
From dust developed, first earth's race to run — 
Here germinate, — then be transplanted where 
Are better soil for growth, and better air. 
God does not need to experiment, to find 
The wisest way to waken conscious mind. 
Knowing the best. He took His first, best way ; 
But made provision for the long delay 
Whicli fall of angels, and the sin of man, 
Would intervene, between His perfect plan 
And the purged system ; which, restored should 

be 
Increased, and lasting, as eternity. 

The Lord, discoursing, plainly shows to Job, 
That there's no power upon this earthly globe, 
However mighty, beyond His control ; 
And that His knowledge comprehends the whole. 



212 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Asks Job, " when earth, cloud, as a garment, 

wore " — 
Ere human type had looked its wonders o'er — ■ 
'' Whose wisdom, caused a barrier to be found. 
To keep the sea within its mete and bound ? '' 
Not chance it was. An agent, then shut up 
The sea, secure, in earth's vast hollow cup. 
Who said, " Come hither, and no farther go. 
Thy proud waves here be stayed. '^ This, doth 

Job know ? 
Which, doubtless. Job to allegory leads. 
The lesson, as he understands it, reads. 
If Job knew not the weight and balancing 
Of the material system, nor could bring 
Distinct decision, — what upholds the earth. 
Which had foundation ere himself had birth j 
How could he feel assured he knew the ground 
Of government Divine ? — its mete and bound ? 
The regulated measures it should deal ; 
Nor, might it, liabilities conceal. 
Causing requirements, by himself, unknown — 
Views from the arena, than views from the throne, 
Being discrepant, circumscribed, because 
The shades of earth conceal, for highest cause, 
The government of God : His sovereign laws ? 



TRUTH TRIUMPHANT. 213 

And thus on faith, since lacking sight, Job draws : 

Learning, on Him confidingly, to lean, 

Whose loving-kindness is unequalled seen 

In that benevolence, the which awards 

The title perfect to hlin who accords 

In moral principle with the Divine : 

ISTor mine secures at the expense of thine : — 

Who, life devotes, with an unselfish end ; 

Bearing good will to all, to all a friend. 

When motive leads thus — earnest, honestly.; 

Kindly compassionate, as Judge, is He. 

Conceruing what transpired before his day. 
Job, hitherto, was called his thoughts to stay : 
Was, by such subjects, rationally led 
To such conclusions, as his mind well fed. 
iNow his attention is still onward drawn 
To things and matters since himself was born. 
Had he commanded morning, since his day ? 
The dayspring regulated ? made the way 
So plain, the sun might know just where to rise. 
The day to mark from night, below the skies — 
With the attending influence, that would shake 
The wicked from the course they dare to take 
When darkness covers them ? — though they, 
within, 



214 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Feel constant turmoil ; — need to hide their sin. 
If on God's governmental dealings, Job 
Would shed a light to radiate earth's globe ; 
By his own wisdom let him first essay- 
To show he understands the spring of day : — 
Day natural can show, direct the light, 
Control its course, and, by it shake off night. 
These can he not control and regulate, 
He may not higher light elucidate. 
It shines, though it, to him, obscured may be : 
Lacking that light, he, therefore, is not free 
On his mysterious suffering to decide. 
The clouds and darkness that o'er him abide. 
May be the point where truth's clear light shall 

spring. 
Job does not know the power of suffering : — 
That there, in moral principle, is power, — 
\Ylien man is led, by it, in trying hour. 
And through it led, firm and unfaltering 
To do aright ; endure what foes may fling ; 
And erring friends, and hades may oppose, — 
To work with God, and help subdue His foes. 

God's lesson-book, creation, is for use ; 
He shows the method that Himself doth choose. 
There's naught that might not illustrate. The 

springs, 



TRUTH TRIUMPHANT. 215 

That to the mighty sea, its water, brings ; 
Had Job considered ? If so, he might know 
Himself was tributary to the flow 
Of the great mass of thinking, sentient mind 
Toward God, the source; as natural spring, 

would find 
Its source, the sea. Its depths, if unattained, • 
Knowledge, by searching, comes ; thus, wisdom 

gained. 
With life the ocean teems, in every drop ; 
No life, of which, within itself doth stop. 
Related each, to every other, life. 
Stagnates but one, becomes stagnation rife. 
All is not pure, with one impurity. 

Job's mind was clear, presented truth, to see. 
Knowledge and wisdom, in the mind of God, 
Perceived he infinite ; as now abroad 
By God directed, he, the subject viewed. 
He never doubted God was great, and good. 
J^b, by suggestion taught, is brought to see. 
From surface to the deepest depth of sea. 
All that's included — all with life that's fraught, — 
Each object is, of the Creative-thought. 
INIinutest particle of water-drop. 
By heat expanded, till expansion stop 



216 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

In the perceptible : water condensed — 

Solidified to ice by cold intense — 

Divine conception is ; emblem, to show 

Some higher truth, God meant for man to know. 

Not alway would he live ; Job once had said. 

The dead, he thoupjht, to their own selves were 

dead. 
A problem, now awaking deepest thought. 
The same Inquirer, to Job's mind has brought. 
'^The gates of death; have they been ope'd to 

thee? 
Death's shadowy doors, has it been thine, to see ? " 
Now doth the mind of suffering Job, expand. 
Death's doors ? death's gates ! does death, as 

usher, stand 
And open doors and gates to other land ? 
A portal, death ? opening a future, where 
The righteous may live on, forever, there ? 
Shall dying man, not simply live again, 
But conscious live, to pain not subject, then ; 
Part with the perishing ; but mind, and soul, 
Affections and emotions ; — what makes whole 
Power of enjoyment ; these, shall he retain, 
In compass and intensity to gain ; — 
Each power revived, identity renewed, 



TRUTH TRIUMrHANT. 217 

Life ne'er to end, while God, the mental food, 
The normal craving of the soul, supplies ? — 
Himself, the food, for which the spirit sighs ! 

Job, waiting, suffering, in that early day, 
Knew not, toward God, direct, his pathway lay. 
Still, the sad path he now in darkness trod, 
Was leading to the glorious light of God. 
Who holds all knowledge in supreme command,— 
Whose thoughts, by nature, blossom and expand ; 
Conceptions whose, by far, transcending all 
Human ideals, that men, beauty, call ; — 
He condescends, discourse with Job, to hold 
So kindly, that the thought does not unfold 
Of condescension ! Simply that he hears 
God speak of that which in his range appears. 
Job, thus instructed, promptly doth conclude 
That God, in knowledge, is as great as good. 
His felt experience, this did testify. 
God, he had trust in, though He seemed not nigh ; 
Seemed cruel to him : he, in heart, could say 
He would trust God although He, him should 

slay. 
So high, his heart attained, above his head, 
And he, in spirit, was divinely fed. 
Deep his affection : now, his intellect, 



218 TERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Divine discourse shall balance and perfect. 
Job, earlier thought, to cope with the Most 

High; 
That His attention passed small matters by ; 
Surprise now met him that he ever thought 
God knew not all things ; could by him, be 

taught ! 
Rehearsing how brute creatures are supplied, 
God asks, if Job did, for their wants, provide. 
Job takes the question home ; feels, surely he 
Could not direct ; no power held, to decree. 
He had not viewed creation with such scope ; 
A single thought, it took him time, to cope; 
While God embraced all knowledge. Did he 

dare 
His mite, with God's all-knowledge, to compare ! 
His wish had been, his enemy would write 
A book, enrolling what he would indict 
Against him : — let the charges be where he 
Could read, and thus rehearse them readily. 
But here was book, presented by no foe. 
Divine Instructor, teaching Job to know ! 
Showing, how true, " Nature has God at heart ; " 
Hiding to teach : and, of himself, impart. 
Job had desired discourse with God to gain, 



TRUTH TRIUMPHANT. 219 

If God would ask, he thought he could explain. 

Would God appear, and but the question state, 

He would reply, and would not hesitate. 

Not in his mind was such a train of thought. 

When he proposals made, and conference sought. 

But many questions God has now proposed, 

Nor, by an answer, has Job one disposed. 

He is approaching deep humility. 

The Lord proposes now, more pointedly. 

"He who contends" — reply Job must con- 
struct — 

" With the Almighty, shall he Him instruct ? 

He who reproveth God, let him reply." 

Job now an answer can nowise deny. 

That he had ever thought his case unseen. 

When naught 'twixt God and truth could inter- 
vene ; 

That, of himself, he had wished God to tell ; — 

Creation all, he now knew, God knew well. 

That he'd charged God with counting him His 
foe, 

When truth to God was clear, and he must know ; 

That he'd to God, of cruelty, complained ; 

Whose kindness, brute creation all, sustained : — 

Abundant thought to frank confession led. 



220 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

With solemn candor, to the Lord, Job said 
" Lo I am vile, what shall I answer Thee ? " 
His hand upon his mouth he'd lay. And he, 
Though once he'd spoken, yea, two charges 

brought ; 
Would not proceed. By God he had been 

taught. 
That God knew all. He silent would remain ; 
Nor would he question, though all was not plain. 
Let it be noted. Job does not retract 
What, of himself, he'd stated as a fact, 
Relating to his character, before, 
Or since, the pain and grief he bore. 
But, having harbored thoughts, and uttered 

speech 
Concerning God, of things beyond his reach, 
Implying that, in knowledge, God fell short ; 
Against the which, God evidence had brought, 
Proving that wisdom, and all knowledge lay 
In Him : — all things beheld as open day : — 
To have accused Him ! sick, though he, the 

while, 
Reduces self-esteem, till Job feels. vile: 
And, with his character, in true accord. 
This, frankly, he confesses to the Lord. 



\ 



TRUTH TRIUMPHANT. 221 

The Lord well knew Job would to this be brought 
As the result of what he would be taught 
By His instruction: knew if mortal should 
AVith him compare, though perfect he, he would, 
The veil withdrawn, and His perfections known. 
Feel vile ; and freely his condition own. 
Yet, had the Lord, to Job, this statement made, — 
That, to himself he did himself degrade, 
Misjudging God, — him, to consider less 
Than infinite, in all those qualities 
Which comprehend and make the righteous God, 
Could Job have fdt it, though in spirit awed ? 
Not God's assertion could conviction bring. 
Hence God, All-wise, pursued the arguing: 
Which answered just the end He had in view : 
Just what. He knew the perfect man would do. 
The Lord now answered out of the whirlwind. 
Is there some statement that He will rescind 
That Job's not perfect ? Or, that he's not vile ? 
Will He give penance ? Keep him sick awhile, 
Until the vileness, which he does confess, 
Is purged and burned away ? If penances 
Are what God ordains, — such His system, — now 
'Tis opportune to make the offender bow. 
He answered. Did He say to Job, " Be crushed : 



222 PERFECTIOX ATTAINABLE. 

Yes, you are vile! Be silenced now, and 

hushed ? '^ 
No. God, unangered, makes to Job address, 
Alluding not to what Job did confess. 
" Gird up thy loins now like a man." So calm 
The voice of God, Job feels His sheltering arm. 
" I will demand, declare thou unto me." 
Can Job withstand the sovereign Majesty ? 
He humbly had acknowledged, he was vile. 
And silenced. But he could not reconcile 
The judgments God had sent on him, as quite 
Consistent if God knew, and held all might. 
Were He all-powerful, as He was, all-wise, 
Why visit hiiu with such dire miseries ? 
That God knew all, Job now was satisfied. 
Could he accomplish, he must yet decide. 
Job saw himself superior to the brute. 
Yet, held the brute power he could not dispute 
Or rival ; neither could restrain, nor bind. 
Hence, argued Job, might not heaven's Sovereign 

find 
Some foe, or force, that ranged all unrestrained, — 
Not by God's will, — who sometimes victory 

gained ? 
Job had conceived so ; hence his words and 

grief : 



TRUTH TEIUMPHAXT. 223 

And God's discourse, had not changed his belief. 
His righteousness^ Job held, by right, should 

save 
Him from calamities, and early grave. 

The Lord resumes : asks Job will he condemn 
The Lord to his accusers, that to them 
Himself may righteous be ? Then, by discourse, 
And questions close, brings home the truth with 

force. 
Could not Job argue for himself, and see 
Who infinite in knowledge was, must be 
Supreme in power. Almighty to decree? 
That though he suffered, yet God had done right ; 
And he must walk by faith, when failed him 

sight? 
Job had seemed to claim peerage with the Lord. 
The Lord accused him not, nor marked it fraud j 
But, by comparing qualities that may 
Be mentally discerned, prepares the way 
By which Job may behold, as analyzed, 
The claim himself had fully recognized. 
Had Job an arm like God's ? Could he sustain 
Material things on vast harmonious plane ? 
Hold up the earth ? The constellations keep 
In their own orbits, through the heavenly deep ? 



224 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Could he emotions raise, sublimely high, 

By mighty thunders sounding through the sky ? 

Could he irradiate, with beauty's glow. 

All nature ? on himself the same bestow ? 

Ordain, precisely, that which should befall, — 

Which justl}', upon ill-desert, must fall ? 

Could he abase, and individualize 

The proud ? till each, position, occupies 

That's right, and relative ? till each decide 

The dust his place, — all, there, their faces hide ? 

Could Job thus do ? Then would the Lord 

confess 
Job's own right hand himself could save and 

bless. 
That Job had power, the Lord would recognize, 
A governmental system to devise, 
That would, the righteous, quite exempt from 

pain. 
His own right hand might such a code ordain. 
But, otherwise, did he with matter find 
A limitation to his power to bind, 
He must confess superiority 
Existing far beyond his own degree. 
And if he could not on material plane 
Cope with the brute, equality maintain, 



TRUTH TRIUMPHANT. 225 

Could he in intellectual quality 

Claim peerage with the One who rules on high ? 

Could he, with calm assurance boldly stand, 

On equal terms to reason make demand ? 

Could Job conclude that there might not obtain 

A greater lack on immaterial plane 

Which should deter him, and at once preclude 

Him from deciding adverse, — less than good, 

Omnipotent, or righteous, just or wise, 

Th^. Sovereign Ruler of the earth and skies ? 

Attention undivided. Job had given. 

Instruction taking, as, 'twere food, from heaven. 

Hungering and thirsting, he, for righteousness, 

Received provision, felt God's power to bless. 

Job answered, then, the Lord. He is assured. 

Perceives the truth, and, in it, rests secured. 

'•I know Thou canst do everything." No doubt 

Remains of power. No thought, from Him, left 

out. 
Doubt, he had held, unuttered, God resolved : 
And now, no doubt remains; although involved 
Matters and subjects he can not explain, 
Quiescent grown, he wills not to complain. 
He now has risen to a height sublime, 
His vision ranges high : the things of time 



226 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Diminisli, while he rises to behold 
From point Divine, views gradually unfold. 
From this high point, the subject-object, he, 
Himself sees, as he would another see. 
Compares his views, — how changed since days 

gone by ! 
Beholds himself, as the All-seeing-eye 
Had then beheld him, when the question came, 
" Who darkeneth counsel ? " Now He asks the 

same. 
" Indeed, who is this that thus counsel hides, 
Ere knowledge comes, and he by it abides ! 
Therefore I uttered ; nor have understood 
The import of my words, correctly viewed. 
Too wonderful for me ! I thought I knew 
Things, I now see, were hidden from my view." 
Job now puts forth earnest, beseeching prayer, 
That God Himself, still farther, will declare. 
He knows he need not utter spoken word, 
His mind is seen, his every thought is heard. 
Not sin, nor guilt, does Job confess, or feel. 
He had misunderstood. He had to deal 
"With his accusers, and he said, what then 
Seemed true to him, replying to those men. 
Now, he's assured, his suffering in the past, 



TRUTH TrvIUMPHAXT. 227 

God had good reason for : convinced at last. 
Believes, God's knowledge, equal to His skill ; 
Power, to His knowledge, just and right His 

will: 
God, balanced in all attributes sublime, 
Euling supreme, by right, throughout all time. 
All former knowledge, as a hearsay seems ; 
The present, eyesight. Job, self -searching, deems 
Himself most insignificant : surprised 
That he, had God severely criticised. , 
So kind, so angerless was God ! so true . 
Patient in reasoning ; unaccusing, too ; 
The more accused Job felt himself, that he 
Should, toward the patient God, accuser be. 
Wherefore, himself, he with abhorring viewed ; 
In dust and ashes penitence renewed. 

Now the three friends see Job reduced, to where 
They failed to place him, though with jealous care 
They strove to plunge him, hoping he would find 
Some guilt to own, by effort of their mind. 
They feel he's right at last. They will advance- 
But ere they've time congratulating glance 
To exchange, and to each other calmly tell 
They'd better go to Job and wish him well ; 
They bear, words of the Lord, to them addressed ! 



228 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

Thouglits turn from Job ; each, for himself, im- 
pressed. 
Who charged no crime on Job, prescribed no rite, 
Thus spake to Eliphaz, the Temanite, — 
To him, that thought God, as accuser, stands. 
And charges folly on angelic bands . — 
" My wrath is kindled against thee/' and then 
Pronounced the same toward his two fellow-men. 
"For,'^ said the Lord, " ye have not spoken right 
As hath My servant Job." Now their delight 
Must have been clouded by a strange surprise. 
They were, to God, than suffering Job, less wise ! 
Job, whom they'd bade acquaint himself with God, 
More right than they, and yet beneath the rod ! 
Now, here was evidence held up to view. 
That what God said at first, continued true. 
God's word as truth, Satan's worst test had stood. 
Job, perfect proved ; upright, evil eschewed. 
Eor, be it noted, ne'er to be forgot, 
God, — just, and right, and true, — against Job 

brought 
No other accusation, than the charge 
Of ignorance ; — of reasoning at large 
While unaware of principles. This gave 
Shadow and darkness, without power to save 



TRUTH TRIUMPHANT. " 229 

By hope, wliich, anchorage in truth, must find. 
This now he learned direct from God's own mind. 
While Job had been enduring for the Lord 
Unconsciously, expecting no reward ; 
By Satan tortured, put to cruel test, 
His friends, unconscious, Satan served with zest. 
The keenest weapons they, which he could find, 
Since to apparent fact, they turn stone blind. 
But truth has power, and, in its normal course 
It will acquit, or else convict with force. 

And now the Lord addresses Eliphaz 
And his two friends ; who, as his servant has, 
Have not so spoken what of Him is right. 
Doubtless they see their error in God's light. 
He bids them sacrifice, seek Job to pray 
For them ; or He will deal in their own way 
With them, according to their erring creed. 

The pious men, direct, to Job proceed. 
As priest, Job offered what they freely brought ; 
In their behalf, to God, by prayer, he sought. 
For them, he prayed, as God did them direct. — 
Their evil speaking was their great defect. — 
Job prayed : — an honest, earnest, hearty prayer. 
Then, Satan, baffled was : no margin there 
For profit to him. All, was lost, entire. 



230 PERFECTION ATTAIXABLE. 

His expectations, with Job's prayer, expire. 
Job would not curse, if, for such friends, he'd 

pray ! 
Satan saw truth, ah, turned from it away. 

When Job, in kindness, offered fervent prayer 
For those who did by no means censure spare ; — 
No ill-will holding, thoroughly infused 
With love like God's, — his spirit thus enthused; 
As priest officiated ; — it was then 
Job the most p:'rfect, stood, confirmed of men. 
Then did the Lord turn Job's captivity. 
Satan could get no hold, and Job was free. 
The Lord blessed Job : not only did restore 
His lost possessions, but repeated o'er. — 
Gave twice as much as he had owned before. 
Then came his brethren, and his sisters came ; — 
How oft repeated, since, has been the same ! 
What vain excuses relatives will find, 
When adverse fortune makes their vision blind : — 
The way is far. The nimble steed won't stand. 
They must drive by, and come to level land. 
But to Job's case. Came his acquaintance, who 
Doubtless, the Lord had prompted, thus to do. 
They'd been his friends before : again eat bread 
With him. And, kindly, while his bounty fed, 



TRUTH TRIUMPHANT. 2ol 

They did bamoan him : and to comfort sought, 
Concerning evil, — all the Lord had brought 
Upon him. And, sincerity to show, 
A piece of money did each man bestow. 
And every one an ear-ring gave, of gold. 
To bind his friendship with a stronger hold. 

As type of the great Prototype, Job stood. 
Who came to earth and did endure to blood, 
To witness to the truth, make God's love known, 
Defeat the tempter and destroy his throne. 
With love in death. He prayed for those who slew, 
*' Father forgive, they know not what they do." 

Job had not sheltered been, and screened away, 
Thus kept by God from falling finally. 
He had been fully held in Satan's power ; 
Who, all he could concoct from hour to hour, 
To poison life, and comfort to destroy. 
His intellect and malice did employ : 
Nor curse, could wrench, from Job ; who could 

not see 
That God was dealing with him righteously. 

All suffering that the arch-fiend could contrive. 
All onp, retaining reason, could survive. 
Job had outridden ; — borne above the tide : 
And thus to Satan's lie had testified. 



232 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. _ 

To the celestial realm the fact was brought 
That Satan, who had asked, ^'Serves Job for 

naught ? •' 
Was vanqjiished ; since, there was one, he must 

own. 
Whose acts were based on principle alone. 
The principle which rules in realms of light — 
Vnselfish love. 

Job, pledged to truth and right. 
His health regained, his friends, and honor, too ; 
The past receded, pressed by visions new. 
So blessed the Lord the latter years of Job, 
Who had enwrapt himself as with a robe, 
With honor and integrity. The Lord 
Blessed Job ; delighting him more to award. 
Than his beginning had by Ilim been blessed. 
Increased his stock, till double he possessed, — 
Of that which may by figures be explained, 
Above the losses which he had sustained. 
As many children as were smitten down ; 
Seven sons to bless and bitter memories drown ; 
Three daughters fair, and held in high esteem : 
Seemed what they should be; were, what they 

did seem. 
Nor sees their father, in whom wisdom lies, 



TRUTH TPdUilPHANT. 233 

Ground for distinction in th:>ir sex to rise. 
Daughters and sons alike have filial claim, 
And he, bequeathing, dearly loves each name. 
Gave, with their brethren, them inheritance, — 
Saw equal rights, to be but common sense. 
Thus Job was blessed, to stand on record ; first 
To have his life and character rehearsed. 
Was spared, the truth, God had to him made 

known. 
To tell to generations of his own : 
To gain a glimpse of that blest realm on high, 
Prom which celestial watchers hover nigh. 
Of which his former life received no ray : 
Nor, till he sacrificed in priestly way 
For his three friends. To him were then re- 
vealed 
Celestial visions ; which before were sealed. 
Assurance that existence would remain 
When the material could no more retain 
The mind in fetters. Then, incumbrance free, 
'Twould soar, and live to all eternity ; . 
And dwell at home in Him from whom life came. 
Who best is known by His revealed name ; — 
"The Loud, the LoPwD God," — feebly words 
portray 



234 PERFECTION ATTAINABLE. 

The God of love to whom his children pray. 
" Gracious and merciful," he would be shown ; 
And suffering long, to make His goodness known ; 
In goodness and in truth abundant. And 
For thousands mercy keeps ; though, they with- 
stand, 
And in iniquity, transgress and sin : — 
His nature holds forgiveness deep within. 
While he, by no means, will the guilty clear, 
Connive at wrong, and make it right appear ; 
He views, transmission, as a rule of right. 
And holds it plainly to the parent's sight. — 
As children, to their parents, likeness bear. 
They shall their virtues, or, their vices, share. 
Be ye, as I am, perfect, he requires. 
And who perfection honestly desires, — 
From loving impulse strives, aright to live j 
No malice holds, is ready to forgive ; 
Like Job, is ready, as their priest, to pray 
For those, who've crossed him in his heavenward 

way; — 
On such the Father looks approving down, 
And they shall wear, with Christ, the victor^s 

crown. 
He would that all their parallel should find ; — 



TRUTH TRIUMPHANT. 235 

Their true relation to their Author's mind : 
Not, without knowledge, rashly, peerage claim : 
But, feeling kinship, own our Father's name. 







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